What are you willing to give?

It is quite ironic that we would be talking about this part of Leviticus at this time of year. As we enter the holiday season and wait for a glimpse of the Baby Jesus,we look at the various offerings God required of the people of Israel. Each of the offerings or sacrifices are a subtle picture of our Savior to come. We have been challenged over the last weeks,"What are you willing to give to Jesus?" A simple story from my childhood comes to mind as I present the kids with this challenge. As the story goes,a little girl sitting with her mom and dad heard the same challenge given to the congregation of her church. As the offering plates were passed moments later,an usher came to the isle where the little girl motioned to lower the plate. With a small smile,the usher lowered the plate. Quietly,the girl motioned for it to go lower. Now with a bit of annoyance,and gaining the attention of the rest of the congregation,the usher once again lowers the plate. Once again the girl motioned to lower the plate. Trying to avoid the embarrassment he was now feeling, holding back a look of anger from his face,he placed the plate on the floor in from of the little girl. At this, the little girl slid off the pew next to her parents and stepped into the plate on the floor. Filled with frustration,the usher asked the little girl why she was standing in the plate. "Pastor asked what we were willing to give to give to God,and I want to give Him me." At this,tears filled the eyes of the usher, followed by everyone else in the room. One girls sacrifice,was heard more loudly than the words moments before,from the podium. In a season anticipating what we will get,what are you willing to sacrifice,what are you willing to give back to God?!

Because I Love You!

"Because I said So!" All of us, Kids and Parents alike, know those words. Just about every child has heard them, and every parent has used them. It is our feeble attempt to persuade our child to obey. However, by this time, we as parents are out to win the war despite the cost. We have forgotten why we made the rule to begin with . . . because we love them. Time after time the Israelites disobeyed, so God set forth rules and standards in order to pull them back in line, because He loved them. As we begin to look into the Book of Leviticus this month in KidzQuest, we will see how God wants to love us by giving us rules and structure to live by.

My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11&12 NLT)

Next time your tempted to say, "Because I said So", instead try, "Because I love you." The results may surprise you and you might just win the battle without any cost and win your child's heart in the process!