“Samuel went and lay down in his place.The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
I was recently at a conference in a Southwest church, which was holding, in tandem, a conference for youth and children. Many wore a T-shirt with the words “There is no Junior Holy Spirit”.
That truth jumped out at me for, in my experience, children can hear from and experience God as much, and sometimes more than we do. When my daughter was 7, she did something naughty and I sent her to her room to “think about what she had done.” Ten minutes later, she came bounding down the stairs beaming, bouncing from couch to couch , saying “ He made me happy, Mommy! God made me happy!” When I asked for more details, all she could say was that she told God she was sorry and He made her happy. I realized the Holy Spirit had somehow touched her powerfully (So I didn’t send her back to her room!) Scripture says “By their fruit you will know them.” and I can see that His touch has lingered in her life, as the Lord has walked with her through many difficult times.
Scripture urges us not to underestimate or neglect children. A lot is going on in these little heads and hearts. Jesus told his disciples not to prevent children coming to him, “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Samuel was 8 years old when the Lord called him to be his prophet. Three of Judah’s kings began to reign as children. The Holy Spirit can begin to awaken in children who are prayed for, nurtured in scripture and loved well - and even, amazingly, in those that are not - for God specializes in the impossible! There is indeed no Junior Holy Spirit, and this should lead us to treat our children’s souls with respect, dignity and awe, for they were God’s before they were ours.
Prayer Prompt: Dear Lord, you have a special love for little children, and you task us as adults to treat them with gentleness and respect, even as you entrust them to us to shepherd them. I pray for my child and for the children at Grace Chapel. Pour your Holy Spirit on them and open their ears, eyes and hearts to you.
Song of the Day: Ceci’s Lullaby - Steffany Gretzinger
