Have A Sticker

 On Sunday morning, one of our youngest disciples at New Providence was running around the fellowship hall after church giving everyone stickers.  She didn’t say a word, she just ran up to people, placed a sticker on their hand and jubilantly ran off to gift another to someone else.  A few individuals chuckled to each other and said, “what did you do to earn a sticker?”  The reply was, “I don’t know” or “nothing!”  And so, it is with God’s grace.  What is the phrase in Isaiah, “and a little child will lead them?”

This is what I want everyone to feel when they come into the doors of New Providence (these heavy, creaking, century old doors), that you are welcome and loved for no other reason than you are a child of God.  Whether you are 3 or 93 there is a safe sanctuary for you here, where you will be enveloped in open arms, known by name, and seen as beloved. 

We should all behave a little bit more like our children.  They wave to everyone with abandon.  They have no qualms about singing (whether there is music playing or not).  They listen (with at least one ear).  They talk about their lives. They pray (for anything and everything without shame). They give generously (from their piggy banks and their plates). They believe without doubt.   They express joy. 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”—Matthew 19:14