Mid-Week Blessings Wentz’s,
Over the past few weeks, I have been thinking, reflecting, and praying about our young people. As I write this, we are on day two of VBS here at Wentz’s. It is such a joy to see all the VBS kids, teenage team leaders, and adult volunteers rally around messages of radical love, inclusion, and hospitality for all. Meeting people where they are is part of our role in the church. Although this thought is focused on children, youth, and young adults, the truth of the message applies to our lives generally.
The words of Jesus in Luke 18:16 reminding us about the significance of blessing children resonate deeply within me. Although I have been in the habit of blessing the children in my family and those I have been blessed to pastor, this message encourages and should remind us all to extend our love and blessings to include children outside of our walls within the community and, indeed, the world. In doing so, we contribute to creating a world where all children are treated with kindness and care and nurtured unconditionally. By teaching them with warmth and compassion, we can empower them to grow into adults who possess the ability to spread love and empathy to others.
As we expand the circle of our blessings, our prayer should be for every child to recognize their inherent worth as divine beings, acknowledging their unique beauty and connection to the God of their understanding. By envisioning them enveloped in God’s love and experiencing abundant blessings, let us hold them with an intention for their safety, security, and well-being. Moreover, we aspire for a world where children are accepted and valued for who they are, without judgment or discrimination, ensuring their happiness and prosperity. Through our prayers and actions, our hope is to contribute to building a brighter future for all the world’s children.
When you and I embrace the teachings of Jesus and adopt a broader perspective, we are reminded of the potential impact a simple act of blessing can have on the lives of those we come in contact with. By radiating love, kindness, and compassion towards them, we can empower them to grow into individuals who embody these qualities, leading to a more harmonious and inclusive society. Our commitment to blessing all children and all people reminds us of the importance of extending our love and care beyond our immediate circles, helping to cultivate a world that truly belongs to all of God’s children.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.—Romans 8:14