If you're anything like me, your mind runs 100 miles per minute! Thoughts are consumed by current commitments, past situations, and hopes of the future. I vividly remember the summer of my first year teaching, in my first apartment, I was receiving monthly bills with no paycheck in sight. In that moment, I was overwhelmed and afraid, so I spread the bills across the floor. Then I laid across the floor next, face down, and cried out to the Lord for help. After praying, I read a scripture that became an anchor to my should in all of my life's journey:
1 Peter 5: 6-7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
How encouraging it was to know that He loves me so much! If there's anything that is on your mind, give it to Him. Any anxious thoughts? Give them to Him. Prone to overthinking? Give it to Him. Concerned about how you're going to make it through a challenge? Give it to Him. He knows what it's like to navigate this world and have your sights set on the things above. It is His will for us to prosper and be in good health, as our soul prospers. He cares for us!
Additional Scriptures about God's Care for You:
Jeremiah 31:3
Hebrews 4:15
3 John 1:2
I found salvation at the age of eight at Friday night youth gathering. I was invited for the pizza and biblical cartoons and received the Holy Spirit somewhere shortly thereafter. The love, care, and concern that the Lord has for His children, young and old, should never be underestimated.
Matthew 18:2-5
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
As an educator of twenty years, I have seen for myself the treasures that God has placed inside children. It has been said that they are blank canvases and we help paint the picture, while that is true to a certain extend, I have found that children show up with unique preferences, perceptions, and purposing. These are God-given and we must connect them back to the Father so that He can nurture them and lead them along their purposed path (Ephesians 2:7-10, MSG). The earlier this is done, the better!
Additional Scriptures about God's Love for Children:
There are numerous organizations that is doing the work of uplifting the youth. If you're just getting started with introducing the gospel to your children, beyond prayer, a great first step is to research your church home and local ministries' youth programs. They may provide weekly programs for children or connect you with established programs. Below are a few credible organizations that may also provide you with Christian youth outreach events or opportunities to increase the capacity of youth leaders.