Sunday, February 26, 2012

Lessons from a child!

Today I was asked to speak in church. I actually love to have that opportunity ( I know that is weird ). I think one of the reasons I love to teach and speak, is because of all the study and preparation it makes me do. I love reading my scriptures, but to have a reason to really dive into them and search things out of them, it a great experience for me. Some of my talk was about FAITH, and so I will share part of it with you.

I first started out with this cute story…

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a parochial elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The teacher made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

But this time a child had written a note and put it by the cookies  which said, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”


I have always been interested in how children see things so black and white, completely trusting in what they have been taught by their parents

Then it reminded me, of how as parents… it is our responsibility to teach these children of the truths that we know. Of course we can not teach what we do not know. That is why it is vital for us to study, and pray to know the truth first for ourselves.

In James chapter 1 verse 5 it reads:

IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, THAT GIVETH TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY, AND UPBRAIDETH NOT; AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO HIM”.


I looked up the word upbraideth and in the dictionary, is said that upbraideth is to find fault with.  I think that is important to any of us that need to ask questions from our Heavenly Father, He is the source of all knowledge, but understanding no matter what we ask that He isn’t going to find fault or make fun of our questions. As a kid, I felt like that was very important, God promised to give answers to all and He will not judge us.

The only other thing we have to do (which is vital ) and it goes on to say this in James 1:6  is…“BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH,NOTHING WAVERING”.

It is important to remember “that great faith has a short shelve life” so we need to daily work on strengthening our faith and deepen our testimony of the Savior,  to the point that we can endure whatever life holds in store for us, and come out stronger than before.

I go back to where I started with an example of a child…
 
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, 'I'm drawing God.'
The teacher paused and said, 'But no one knows what God looks like.'
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, 'They will in a minute.'


We need to stay close to our children and grandchildren, because they are closer to God than we might think. Wouldn't it be great for us to be that confident in our trust and knowledge in God, and understanding our purpose here on earth?
It is my testimony that we truly can obtain that type of faith and hope, and with that… be able to accomplish the purpose of why we are here!

Good night dear friends!

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”   ~ Voltaire

No comments: