“Children are the hands by
which we take hold of heaven.”
Henry Ward Beecher
His nickname was “Sparky.” For Sparky, school
was all but impossible. He failed every subject in the eighth grade, every subject!.
He flunked physics in high school, getting a grade of zero. Sparky also flunked
Latin, Algebra, and English. He didn’t do much better in sports. Although he
did manage to make the school’s golf team, he promptly lost the only important
match of the season. There was a consolation match…he lost that too.
Throughout
his youth, Sparky was awkward, socially. He wasn’t actually disliked by the
other kids; no one really cared that much. He was astonished if a classmate
ever said hello to him outside of school. There’s no way to tell how he might
have done at dating. Sparky never asked a girl to go out in high school. He was
too afraid of being turned down.
Sparky
was a loser. He, his classmates…everyone knew it. So he rolled with it. Sparky
had made up his mind early in life that if things were meant to work out they
would. Otherwise, he would content himself with what appeared to be his
inevitable mediocrity.
But there was one thing that was important to Sparky — drawing. He was
proud of his artwork. Of course, no one else appreciated it. In his senior year
of high school, he submitted some cartoons to the editors of the yearbook. You
already know what happened – his cartoons were turned down. Despite this particular
rejection, Sparky was so convinced of his ability that he decided to become a
professional artist. So, after completing high school, he wrote a letter to
Walt Disney Studios. He was told to send some samples of his artwork and the
subject for a cartoon was suggested.
Sparky
drew the proposed cartoon. He spent a great deal of time on it and on all of the
other drawings he submitted. Finally, the reply came from Disney Studios. He’d
been rejected once again. Another loss for the loser.
So
Sparky decided to write his own autobiography…in cartoons. He described his
childhood self — a little boy loser and chronic underachiever.
His
cartoon character would soon become famous worldwide. For Sparky, the boy who
had such a lack of success in school and whose work was rejected again and
again, was none other than the great Charles Schulz. He created the Peanuts
comic strip and the little cartoon character whose kite would never fly and who
never succeeded in even kicking a football —Charlie Brown.
Through
the years I’ve met a lot of “Charlie
Browns.” It’s heartbreaking. You could be sitting next to an adult version of
one at church or perhaps work with one, or live near one.
Early on I began ministering to children. As a junior higher, I would accompany
a godly adult leader, Jim Pendley, along with other boys to assist with a Sunday
school in a nearby low-income housing project.
Both
Jane and I cut our teeth together in ministering to children. After college, Jane
taught second grade. When we were married, we taught a pre-school Sunday school
class together. One of the tykes from that class is now a pastor in Madison.
My
heart is filled with many faces from over the years. Many of them were hurting
children from horrible homes, who were true victims. In both LaCrosse and
Danville, IL, I ministered in bus ministries where we picked up area children. Often
the children had to get themselves up to get ready because Mom or Dad were still
sleeping off the previous night’s “activities.” In those two churches, we had nearly
a hundred children who rode the bus to church. Forty years later I’m still in
contact with some of those trophies of God’s grace!
Our
Vacation Bible School kicks off on August 1st. Becca Mueller,
the director of our VBS is praying for 50. Becca never does anything halfway. The
team is trained and prepared and supplies have been ordered. Next Sunday we’ll
have a prayer of dedication for them in our worship service. YOU though are
a key part of this making an eternal impact. We need you to invite children
that God has brought into your circle of influence.
Yet,
there are some big hindrances in us reaching these children – social bigotry
and lack of faith. I’ve watched it over the years. In fact, as a troubled teen
after my Mom was killed, I became that teen that church parents instructed
their kids to stay away from because I was a “bad kid.” Praise the Lord for a
godly youth pastor, named Kent Richards, who reached out with Christ’s love to
me.
Christian parents, please read the Bible for yourself. You can’t isolate
or protect your children from all of the bad stuff and evil people out there. Instead, trust God and prayerfully use your kids as gospel bridges. If God can’t protect
your children, what makes you believe that you’ll be able to?
Who should you look for? What kids should be on your radar? Who should
you invite to your dinner table or to come over to play? Who should you invite
to VBS or give a ride to church or a kids’ or teen program?
The
quiet kid. This is the child you hardly know is there. They may have learning
issues or a disability. Perhaps they’ve learned at home or at school that it’s safer
to be quiet.
The
unattractive kid. Maybe they're overweight or skinny. Body shaming happens
at church and in church ministries too. It’s usually subtle but it’s there. In
a world where attractiveness puts you on the A list, being average or less, or
not meeting some societal standard of attractiveness can carry a high price.
The
awkward kid. In a culture that’s sports-driven, heaven help the child with
two left hands. They quickly know how few skills they have by the nicknames
or that they’re always picked last when teams are chosen.
The
misbehaving kid. Some children misbehave because of a disability. Everyone
wants at least some acknowledgment and attention. They want their personhood.
Or, if you can’t get good attention, you’ll opt for bad attention. Frequently,
children act out the drama of their home. Anger, tantrums, sullenness can be a way
of coping with a poor home life. Alcohol and drugs can be an attempt at self-medication.
Promiscuity is a cry for intimacy, love, and acceptance. Every child wants to be
accepted and loved.
Often Christian parents keep their children away from children who come
from troubled homes; divorce, addiction, sexual issues, etc., but those children
are not contagious. The Bible speaks often about not judging a child because of
the sins of the parents. It’s why it’s so important that we reach out to those who
often fall in the cracks. It’s what Jesus did and it’s what He has called us to
do. VBS is a great place to start! Will you reach out to the children God
has brought across your path?
Can
we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out
more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at
262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life,
I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My
Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy.
Please include your mailing address.
