This morning, the kids and I went to another Junior Bible Quiz meet... the forth of the year. My team in B Division got moved to the Masters (top scoring) group, along with 4 other teams. For the rest of the year, we will quiz against each other.
We have still yet to be defeated even after today, but my son... who shall remain nameless... quizzed out backward during one of the matches. This doesn't happen too often. He usually quizzes out forward due to answering so many questions correctly. It left him feeling very sad. He actually cried...for a long, long time.... continuing for the rest of the match (which was only about 1/2 way through). It started out as little sniffles and then gained intensity until he reached (muffled) sobs.
What happened next was really a testament to the character of the kids that are involved in this program. Immediately following the match, the kids from our team and the opposing team surrounded him to console him and tell them it was going to be OK. The other boys patted him on the shoulder... even the kids who were assisting in the room (two of the judges) went up to encourage him! I just sat back and let them do their thing... proud to be a witness of what was going on.
All right adults! Here's where we can learn a lesson from our children. No longer were they competitors, but fellow humans going to the aid a hurting comrade. They saw he was hurt and they didn't hesitate for a moment to go and lend a helping hand, hug, or pat on the back. It wasn't too long before my son was smiling again and the whole lot of children were busy chit chatting.
Too often in the church, we are accused of wounding our own. When did we get away from our innocence and decide that we can't humble OURSELVES and help out a brother in need? Yes, it does take a servant's heart to go to another in compassion when they are hurting. Consider the story of the good Samaritan! Most were too noble, important, or proud to consider the broken man, but not the Samaritan! It makes you step back and consider what we would do if we saw someone crying or hurting. Would we turn and walk away? OR, would we go to them? If you saw a car wreck, would you stop to see if the person was OK or keep driving? If you heard a little child crying for help, would you ignore the cry or investigate what was going on? Too many of us think, "It's not my problem!", or "I don't want to get involved in someone else's business." What would YOU do?
On a final thought, It was good for my son to be a recipient of such kindness, as he is my most compassionate child, loving and merciful. Those who are merciful shall obtain mercy! If these young people and kids that were quizzing today are any indication what the church of tomorrow will be like, then things look pretty hopeful... at least from my perspective.
And after a long morning of quizzing... I'm ready for a nice afternoon nap! Well, maybe first I'll go for a walk....
See you on Monday, friends! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
