As I sit down to tell you a story about a little girl named Jordan who loves Jesus, my friend sends me an audio message of her brand new, sweet little grandson coo-ing. Her timing was perfect; or, perhaps it was God’s timing. I had just asked Him to give me His words to tell this story. When I imagined the proud smile of my friend over her adorable new grandson, the love she already has for him, and the influence she will have in his life, I am reminded of Matthew 18:3 that says, “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
We have such an incredible opportunity to influence our little ones. I am more aware of that influence now, as my own children are young adults, and especially as I watch friends just slightly older than I am, becoming grandparents. I watch intently, knowing I just might be next….
Back to Jordan, the sweet little girl who loves Jesus…..
I had lunch with her Mom and GrandMa yesterday. They were excited to share a story about her, and I thought it was worthy of sharing, because it spoke to my heart, as I’m sure it will to yours as well.
As I said, Jordan loves Jesus. She loves Him in the sweetest and most simplest of ways. When Jordan was in first grade, she came home from school one day and told her Mom about something that had taken place on the playground. She said, “Mom, I am teaching a Bible study during recess on the playground at school.” She went on to explain that she was asking her friends if they knew Jesus, and when a few of them answered, “No,” and she went on to find out that they were unaware of the story of Noah and the Ark, she began to teach them. She not only told them the story of Noah and the flood, but she made sure she told them that Jesus died on the Cross for them!” When the bell rang to return to class, she found a bracelet laying in the dirt that said, “Jesus” on it, and gave it to one of the little girls in her class who had never heard of Jesus before. She was sure, she said, that the bracelet was from God Himself!
Sweet little Jordan, so young, so sincere, so genuine – She wanted her classmates to know Jesus.
Our children watch us. They listen and they watch so much closer than we realize. I have never been to Jordan’s home or been around her family in their home, but I know a lot about them just from hearing Jordan’s story. Can you imagine how Jesus smiles in heaven at His precious little ones like this? This is how we must become – Unafraid to share our Jesus. We do all sorts of kind things for the people in our circles of influence, but are we sharing the most important thing? Jesus? I think we should all become more like Jordan.
Dear Jordan, YOU thought you were teaching a Bible study to your first grade classmates, but when I heard this story about you on the playground, I became one of your students. Thank you for that! And a big thank you to your Mom, Dad, GrandMa, and GrandPa for teaching you how to follow Jesus!
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