Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. - Matthew 5:44This was one of the girls memory verses. As we were practicing it one morning, I realized from the look on Emily's face, that she didn't know what an enemy was so I asked her and she said "no". I explained that an enemy was someone who was mean to you. Then I told her that God wants us to love and be nice to people even when they are mean to us.
She looked a bit surprised and said "Why!?". I explained that when we are nice to people who are being mean, it helps to change them so that they will be nicer. I said that sometimes it takes a little time, but if we keep being nice it will help that person to change.
Ashleigh was behind us listening to the conversation and suddenly said "Like the Beast?" They had watched Beauty and the Beast just before this conversation and she made the connection. I just love when I see God working in them! :D
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. - Proverbs 2:6
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ~ Luke 10:27
16 comments:
A preacher of mine once said: It is easy to love someone who loves you back but the trick is to love someone who hates you. I try but sometimes it is hard for me when I don't see change.
It's nice when kids can pick up how God expects us to behave in their everyday lives, like watching movies!
Wow, she totally got it! Great application at a young age. Your students are doing very well Edie, the teacher!
Oh thanks for the giggle! What a wonderful illustration for little girls everywhere! She truly has this truth planted in her heart since she can apply it so well!
It is awesome when the children in our lives "get it", and scriptural truth is planted in their hearts.
very sweet moment with your girls! What a precious memory to capture in words - and hey, what would we do with out those Disney movies, lol!
... I find myself asking, 'What about a fellow believer who is not treating you nicely?' Somehow, I can't call them 'enemy'. I mean I know she is a sister in Christ, and I don't doubt her faith in Christ, yet she is still mean. I somehow, can't call her 'enemy'. It hurts. What do you call that? I don't know- I just rest it in prayer.
Hugs, Deanna
I wish it was easy for adults to make the connection. I know I struggle everyday!
Christy
Edie,
There is SO MUCH I can share on this Scripture and on how God has used it to caterpillar me forward over the years in my spiritual growth journey as a Christian. We are always growing regardless of how mature we are in Christ. Our journey is one of growth and it begins at the time of youth just like with those precious girls of yours.
Great message. Thanks for sharing.
what a great connection Ashleigh made with equating this with Beauty/Beast! very wise young one she is :)
great lesson to teach and to learn :)
betty
Out of the mouth of babes!!
What a great connection! Praise God!
I love when they get it. Keep up the good work!
Ok, I'm probably showing a mean streak here myself, and my motives can't really be called pure....
But I take great pleasure out of being nice to people who are mean, or are my enemy. For one thing it surprises them a great deal, and it kinda scares them which I have to admit is the most fun part.
And you thought I was a nice girl didn't you.
Thanks for this reminder. My daughter just lost her job because someone who decided to be her enemy lied about her. I'll pass this along to her. Please pray for her as she learns from this bad experience and as she looks for a new job.
Thanks,
Lavonda
Sometimes this is such a hard thing to do!
You are training these girls to grow up to be wonderful adults!
I love it when the Lord opens the door for meaningful conversations with our kids. Those times are the best.
Post a Comment