THE EYES OF A CHILD

My bible reading today ended with Genesis 29:29.

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever; that we may follow all the words of this law.

Saturday I attended a wonderful conference of our local chapter of the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators. In attendance were many wonderful authors and illustrators; agents and editors. And many writers, struggling to become published.

All of us there were passionate about creating books that will speak to the hearts of children.

That is an awesome responsibility—to create something to help children see the world in a new light; that will open their eyes to new possibilities; that will help shape their hearts and minds.

God has given us an awesome responsibility to train our children in the way they should go so that when they are grown they will not turn from it.

The challenge for Christian writers is to teach children through our words in a way that will not sound stern or preachy.

The challenge is also to create books that editors will be able to sell to a public that resists Christianity.

The challenge is to speak the truth in love.

The conference was filled with jewels of encouragement and gems of knowledge intended to spur us toward assembling sparkling words to create brilliant books. I returned home, inspired to persevere in using God’s gift to help children see Him in the world around us…

…even children who long ago stopped counting the candles on the cake.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we are your children and we want to see the beauty and majesty of your world through open eyes of wonder. Help us see and share your world with our children and each other. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What special responsibility do you have to share with the children in your life?