Read Psalm 42:1-5
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
- Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
One of the first things I learned as a Sunday school teacher is that one child will always cry for their parents. Sunday after Sunday at least one child dissolves into tears after the people who make them feel secure have left the room.
I gently explain to each child that their parents are nearby, that their parents brought them to the class to help them learn. It does not mean that they have been abandoned or will be separated for very long.
Then, when a particular challenge disrupted my world and left me feeling helpless, I understood how the children feel. As I look back I wonder: Why did I fear? Why was life so difficult? Why did I feel lonely? My Lord was nearby, watching over me, but also allowing me to learn and build character.
Now when adversity threatens to make me feel distant from God, I reflect on those distraught children during Sunday school. With renewed confidence I repeat: “God is nearby.”
Thought for the Day:
I will seek God’s presence in all that I do.
Prayer: Holy and loving God, strengthen us through your powerful presence in our times of need. Amen.
Prayer Focus: SOMEONE WHO FEELS ABANDONED
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
One of the first things I learned as a Sunday school teacher is that one child will always cry for their parents. Sunday after Sunday at least one child dissolves into tears after the people who make them feel secure have left the room.
I gently explain to each child that their parents are nearby, that their parents brought them to the class to help them learn. It does not mean that they have been abandoned or will be separated for very long.
Then, when a particular challenge disrupted my world and left me feeling helpless, I understood how the children feel. As I look back I wonder: Why did I fear? Why was life so difficult? Why did I feel lonely? My Lord was nearby, watching over me, but also allowing me to learn and build character.
Now when adversity threatens to make me feel distant from God, I reflect on those distraught children during Sunday school. With renewed confidence I repeat: “God is nearby.”
Thought for the Day:
I will seek God’s presence in all that I do.
Prayer: Holy and loving God, strengthen us through your powerful presence in our times of need. Amen.
Prayer Focus: SOMEONE WHO FEELS ABANDONED
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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