Picture: The kids dancing to 'Father Abraham' playing on Pandora.
Elijah has a piggy bank. He recently got some more money, so I asked him, "Do you want to buy a toy or something, or save your money to buy something bigger?" He said he wanted to save it, so we let him put it in his piggy bank.
Our church is planning on building onto our church. The main construction is for a children's area. Elijah has seen a few pictures of the plan. Last night, we took the kids to the 'commitment service' where church members pledged to give certain amounts towards the project. They even had us sing 'Father Abraham' and Elijah saw our pastor dancing. Elijah was pointing at him saying "Pastor Bob!" in disbelief.
When it was time to present our commitment cards to the alter, our whole family went up to place our card up front. We explained to Elijah that we were giving money to God to build this bigger church. Then we sat back down. Elijah had his own card and decided that he wanted to give as well. He said, "This is something bigger that I have been saving for in my piggy bank." So I asked how much he wanted to give, and he said 55. I filled out a form for him, walked him down the aisle after everyone had sat down, and let him place his card up front. When we left, we passed a picture of the new building, and Elijah said, "There's my new Sunday school I'm buying."
Today, while he was praying at lunchtime, he said, "Thank you God for our house, Mommy and Daddy, our food, and our new Sunday school building."
I'm not sure how much he actually understands. But I do know this kid is so sweet and willing to give. He knows money could have got him more toys, but he wanted it to go towards something else, something bigger, something for God. He may think his piggy bank money alone will be buying this building, and he probably will be confused when it's not there for Sunday school this week. He wants to give, so he will.
"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."
~Mark 10:13-16
