People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:13-16
Here are a few questions I’d like you to consider…
When was the last time you laughed uncontrollably?
When was the last time you cried inconsolably?
When was the last time you learned something you never knew before?
When was the last time you experienced something that you will never forget?
As adults living fast-paced, high stress lives, we might have to take some time to think about when each of the things last happened. So, are you ready for some irony? A typical five-year old child did all of these things today before noon.
Many people go through life feeling emotionally detached from the world around them. This may be unintentional or deliberate, but it’s all too real. We separate ourselves from life’s joys and sorrows trying to keep the status quo. We brush aside opportunities to learn, to feel and to grow due to a lack of time, a lack of understanding, or a lack of interest. No matter what the rationale, we are leaving a big portion of our lives unlived. Why is that?
I think many of us (myself included) live lives where our primary goal is the management of risk. As parents, we err on the side of caution when it comes to the health and well-being of our kids. As good stewards of our resources, we carefully budget and plan how we spend money. We schedule our days carefully so that we don’t waste our time or allow any opportunities for activity to pass us by. We grow and mature and become so skilled at managing risk that we simply forget how to take one.
This is not what we were created to do. Think about the lives the apostles led. Did they manage risk, or did they step boldly in faith? God didn’t create us to be reckless, but we were made to be His special creation; designed in love to carry out the awesome plan that He has for your life in boldness and free from fear, shame, guilt, and error. These are the things that make us peculiar in the world, and that is why many people do their best to stifle it.
This is a shame, because we are missing out on a great deal of what life has to offer us. For example, a five-year old doesn’t care what others might think of her emotional reactions to life. Her joys, sorrows, hurts, and celebrations are hers to savor and to share. Others are welcome to join her, but they can’t deter her from displaying them – at least for now. I think this is a big part of what Christ meant when he described the faith of a child. It’s not only about keeping it simple and being committed and obedient, but it is also about being open to the fullness of what God wants us to feel. This begins today for us as we set out on a path that will lead us to risk much, but our faith is unwavering in the One who saved us by His sacrifice. May He bless you, bless me, and fill us with joy every moment of every day of our lives.
Devotion by Richard Schumacher
LSEM director of Programs & Services
-
Recent Posts
More Stories
A, Child of Jesus
All Kinds of Smart
When It ‘Clicks’
Moments of Growth
Gloomy to Glad
Creative Engagement
Vertical Learning Works!
A Lasting Impact
Acting to Improve Reading
The Importance of Practice
The Sticky Note
Incredible Growth, Incredible Child
Play A Game!
Serving More
The Journey
Peer Mentoring
See the Joy
Celebrate the Achievement
The Results Speak Volumes
Everyone Needs Kindness
40 Years of Service
God Made It Grow
Individualized Learning
Cling to Hope
Power of Intervention
A Different Approach
Little Wow Moments
Code Crackers
Seeing the Change
Disability Awareness Event
Facing Fears
Perseverance and Persistence
Support and Confidence
Organization and Progress
A Growing Service
Long Lasting Effects
Benefits of Collaboration
Productive Starts
It Works!
A Fun Challenge
More than One Way
Importance of the Basics
Loving Literature
Being Special
Celebrate the Victories
Learning, Reading, Helping
Benefits of Partnership
Hearing God’s Call
The Book Bunch
Never Give Up
More Than Just Book Learning
From Struggles to Smiles
Back on Track
Leaps and Bounds
Recognizing Success
Graduation Gratitude
Carryover Success
Learning and Teaching
Coolness!
A Path of Improvement
Learning Brings Confidence
Something That Works
From Fearful to Fearless
A Magical Moment
Growth Mindset: Self Advocacy
Growing and Blooming
Building That Relationship
Finding the Right One
Getting Back On Track
More Than Just Academics
No Problem
God’s Love in the Classroom
A Familiar Face
Rewinding the Negative
What A Difference
The Power of Relationship
The Encouragement to Shine
Long Lasting Effects
A New Start For A Child
Providing Effective Instruction
Summer Practice and Fall Success
Where God Leads
What A Teacher Longs For
Blossoming Success
Support Makes A Difference
Attitude and Determination
A Real World Connection to Learning
Watch in Amazement
More Than Just A School
Some Classroom Success Stories
A “Shark Tank” Story
Creature Comfort
Fostering Spiritual Growth
Catching Up
Another Way to Read
Connecting Learning to Hobbies
A Wow List
I Know the Answer!
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Long Term Growth
Resilience
Practice Makes Progress
Teaching at Many Grade Levels
Yes You Can!
Learning and Building Confidence
Finding the Fun in Reading
The Hybrid Classroom
Teaching Outside a Resource Room
Sight Word Wow
Acceptance Leading to Growth
The Goal Stays the Same
Seeing Smiles
A New Way to Teach
Attitudes Change
Consistent Alternatives
A Hand to Help
A Message from the President/CEO
How Your Gift Makes an Impact
LSEM Christmas Tea
There Are Spiders in Her Office!
Finding Her Place
Small Tech Makes a Big Improvement
New Families for a New School Year
We Praise the Lord
Transitions
It’s Been a Busy Summer
Golf for a Cause!
Faith During the Pandemic
A Fireside Chat with Stacy Hoeft
Work From Home Desk Challenge
We MOVED!
Introducing 20 in 20
Hear From Our Teachers
LSEM Summer Shorts
To God Be the Glory!
A Thank You to Our Teachers
A Valentine’s Special
New Students and New Challenges
A Brief Reflection On Service
Teaching in a Virtual Landscape
Teaching in a Time of Uncertainty
LSEM in Texas
Anxiety and Learning
You Don’t Have to Choose
A Learning Haven
Causing a Culture Shift
Connecting in a Time of Difficulty
Growth and Goodbyes at St John Rochester
Growing Confidence
A Friendsgiving Story
Not Being Defined by a Learning Need
A Shifting Approach to Special Education
Teachers Are Like Family
Enthusiastic Support in Hanoi
Step Up to Reading
Starting on an Active Note
Look at That Smile!
Seeing Yourself in a Story
What Makes a Wow Story
Celebrate Them Going
Lutheran Education Podcast
Exactly the Help We Needed
On the Ballot for the National LWML
A Special Announcement
Stories from Hearts for Jesus 2
Stories from Hearts for Jesus 1
Hearts for Jesus Continues!
Busy Bees at St Peter
Professional Development Helps Everyone
An Unexpected Opportunity to Help
Technology Opening Doors of Communication
Satchian’s Story
A Trip to Let It Shine
Saying YES to a Child in Need
Literacy and A Little Library
A Positive Program Result
A Kindergarten Wow Story
Technology is Opening Doors for LSEM Students
LSEM Helps Establish Standards
Honoring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
An Innovative Principal’s Mindset
It Takes A Team
High School Transformation
Growing and Graduating
Minnesota Principal Sees LSEM Impact
The Best Gift of All
A Young Boy with a Giant Heart
LSEM Helps Texas School Shine its Light
Notes from the Tree House
LSEM Student Uses Dance to Express her Love of Jesus
Costa Mesa Principal Reports LSEM Success!
A Second Grade Success Story
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Student Fearless About His Future!
Crown of Life Lutheran School Puts its Mission into Action
Future Cities Super Star Wins at National Competition
Former LSEM Student Uses Her Experience to Help Others
LSEM Teacher Uses Skills to Connect with Teen Learners
A Mother’s Voice: How Mia Transformed Her Struggles to Success
A Perfect Storm
You can. We can. The children can!
From shy and quiet to outgoing and involved
Success stories all around us
Students compete in national competition
An “Updated” Story of Faith
From the Heart: A Friend of LSEM Shares How His Family Made a Difference
From Struggling to Smiling
Wow! This has made all the difference
One Child. Two Perspectives