Letters From Kids
I love letters from kids. My favorite ones were those written to America’s fighting forces during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Those letters have a way of lifting your spirits, especially because of the innocence of the authors and their perceptions of what you are doing for the country.
This morning, I was thrilled to see letters from kids at our table for the 15th Annual St. Joseph Mayor’s National Day of Prayer Breakfast. I was able to salvage six of the letters, and I will summarize them, and the theological reflections of the children, below.
“Jaken” (age 12) and “Herley” (age 11) from St. James Catholic School finished this sentence: “I see God’s glory when …”
Both children see God when they go to church and during times of prayer. Herley sees God during game-time and Jaken sees God’s glory during school.
I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. (Psalm 3:5)
“Lily” (age 10) and “Maggie” (age 10 “and 1 month”) attend St Paul Lutheran School and answered this question: “How does God give you courage?”
Lily sees God’s courage come through her parents and friends. Her friend “hypes [her] up” when she’s sad. She recalls a time when a bad storm came through and she felt safe because her father reassured her.
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)
Maggie quotes the 23rd Psalm, noting that she finds comfort in God. She begins her note with, “I am never alone. God is always with me.” She ends by emphatically stating: “I am never, ever, ever, ever alone.” One never + three evers! Maggie wins a gold star for her confident trust in God and his Word at the tender age of 10 1/12 years old.
“Saphira” (age 12) and “Wesley” (aged “twelve [12]”) From St Joseph Christian School completed this sentence: “I see God’s glory when …”
Saphira reflects on the goodness of God when she beholds creation, most notably the sunrise and sunset. There is either a poet or gardener (or both) in young Saphira for sure!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3)
Wesley gave me the greatest thrill with his note. He also started the best conversation at our table. He sees God’s glory when he camps at beautiful places (like South Dakota, Colorado, and Arkansas). It appears that Wesley is a bit of a burgeoning outdoorsman! He then adds this tidbit:
I also enjoy one little spot on my church’s land which is a small abandoned wooden shed covered with wildlife.
So, what does a shed covered with animals look like? I don’t know. Either way, it is how Wesley enjoys God’s created and creative world!
Thank you, students, for brightening our day and pointing us toward our great God and good King!