“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NASB)
This Sunday morning, before you head out to church, I want to share something about my weekly encounter with a kindergartener. You will get both a laugh and a lesson as you read on. The latter, the lesson, will help you when things aren’t right for you or someone you know.
Within minutes after entering the church, this kind kindergartener comes to speak to me. After a brief conversation, she typically can be seen inspecting my face. If my mouth is shut, or I do not open it wide enough when speaking, she assumes the role of a well-trained, specialized master dentist, doing just what such credentialed professionals do in a preliminary, primary examination. She asks me to say “ahhh,” and even demonstrates with her own mouth exactly what she wants me to do. She wants to see if one of my missing teeth has grown back, a miracle that many hockey players and I are still waiting to happen (Smile!)
Complying with the child’s command I open my mouth to allow her to do her inspection. When she sees the empty space that was once occupied by a healthy tooth, she motions me to close my mouth. The examination is over, but there is still an explanation. She explains how she recently lost a tooth, but a new one grew back and is getting stronger every week.
In an attempt to provide me with comfort, the kindergartner says, “Don’t worry, it will come back.” I just shake my head, seemingly agreeing with her. She then says, “Keep hope.”
Today is Sunday, so I will probably have another examination, and I am sure after seeing no new tooth has appeared, the kindergartner will embark on teaching me the same lesson. Let me paraphrase it in non-kindergarten language, “When things aren’t right, keep hoping.”
My friend, if you are finished laughing, think about the lesson as it applies to each of us. There will be times when things aren’t right in our lives; not right from a political, or personal, relationship perspective; not right from a career or couples’ perspective; not right from a health or home life perspective, or some perspective not named. When things are not right, we need to take the advice of the kindergartner, “Keep hope.” Also, as exemplified by the five-year-old child, we need to encourage one another when things aren’t right! Remember that this morning while you are at the house of the Lord in the assembly of the saints! Somebody may need you to be their encourager. Have a great day! Be blessed!
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King