HOW QUICKLY THE TIME FLIES!
As I write this, our van is loaded up and we will be leaving in a couple of hours to take our youngest daughter to a new journey in life called college. Our other daughter will leave the next day and our house will be empty. I wonder: "Where did the time go? It seems to have flown by so quickly. They were babies only yesterday and here they are, young adults and headed off to college."
I am not the only one to say such things. I have heard parent after parent utter the same words as their children headed off to kindergarten, high school, got their driver's license, and graduated from high school. Time marches on, and as parents, our window of influence changes from year to year.
That is why I want to once again encourage you to bring your children to Sunday school and to participate in our various children's ministries and activities. Cindy Fleace serves as our Children's Minister and she has done a very good job of planning creative, fun, and learning activities for the children of our church and community. How else will our children learn the great stories of the Bible and hear the wonderful news of God's love and care for them in Jesus Christ? I appreciate the ministry of Cindy and others who help. I encourage you to get involved in helping and to especially be sure and bring your children (and friends) to Sunday school and the monthly children's activities.
Tom Shriver is doing a wonderful job as well with our youth ministry. In just his first year, I have seen significant growth among our youth in numbers as well as in their spiritual growth. Tom is very committed to youth ministry has given much time and energy and love to reaching out to the youth of the church and of the community. I hope you will encourage and bring your Middle school and High school youth to Sunday school and weekly youth activities. They too need to hear the stories of our faith and be reminded and reminded of God's love for them in Jesus Christ and how God can use them in many great ways to help and serve others.
Time goes by way too quickly and we lose those opportunities not only to shape our children in regards to their education, their friends, their sports, but also their spiritual development which will stay with them their entire lives. We are challenged in Deuteronomy to be faithful as parents and as a church to teach our children of God and God's truth and love and goodness. What better way than by participating in our many children and youth ministries here at Unity Chapel?
We are more than blessed here to have Cindy and Tom serving and guiding us as we seek to help our children and youth grow in the knowledge and love of God. You need to do your part as well. You can volunteer (just ask Cindy or Tom what you can do!) and you can be sure that your children are actively involved in these opportunities for them to learn, to grow, and to be with other young people.
By the way, we have several opportunities for adults as well with Sunday school, Bible studies, and other opportunities to learn and grow in your life. Just ask me, and I will be glad to point you in the right direction. Remember though, when it comes to our children: Time marches on and moves by much too quickly. Let us be wise with the time we are given and do our part to guide and shape their spiritual lives as that will guide and shape their future as well.
Grace and Peace in Christ,
Jeff