Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"On Stage"
Jun. 19, 2018
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
~ Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)
Charles Darwin, Warren Buffet, Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Jefferson, Carly Simon, Brian Wilson, Laurence Olivier, Mark Twain, Barbra Streisand, and Bella Daniels: all of these folk have one thing in common. And, no, it's not that they're famous. At least one of them, the last one, Bella Daniels, is almost unknown.
So, what common trait do these folks share?
Stage fright!
Yep, that's it. They often have become petrified when they get in front of an audience.
That was certainly the case for two-year-old Bella Daniels. She recently went on stage to perform in her very first dance recital. To make a long story short, Bella took one look at the crowd, became terrified, and broke into hysterical screams -- something which didn't necessarily encourage or inspire the other dancers.
Bella's tears went on so long, and at such a volume, her sympathetic father, Marc, joined her up on the stage. He whispered, "Do you want to dance with daddy?"
Bella nodded yes. Marc, holding another younger baby on his hip, joined in.
Videos taken of the performance show that he did a pretty good job, too.
Marc did so well, at least in part, because he had practiced his daughter's routine at home. Actually, Marc had put in a lot of practice toe-pointing. It was practice time which paid off as Bella, her fears put aside, managed to finish her routine with flying colors.
The same principle holds true when it comes to our faith. This world can be a pretty frightening place. Left to our own devices, we can -- like Bella -- be thrown into an absolute panic. It is precisely at such times we need to remember the Savior who gave His life, so we might have life. We must remember and place our fears -- and our trust -- into His most capable hands.
Sadly, many people, including many children, have only a passing knowledge of the Christ. For them, when difficulties, pains, and problems arise, they don't automatically think of going to the Savior. Like Bella, they just stand and cry out in fear and pain -- problems Jesus would gladly help them carry.
The question is how best to share the Savior's Name with the children, so they learn to rely on Him for all of their lives?
* Some would say, "Drop them off at Sunday school or at the religious grade school or Vacation Bible School. There is no doubt that this is a good process and can oftentimes reach our children.
* The second choice is the Marc Daniel's School of Christian Education. It means when your child comes home from VBS, Sunday school, confirmation, you go over the material with them. You study it together. You explore it as a team. You answer questions and reinforce what others have taught.
To rephrase Marc, we say to our children, "Should we learn about Jesus today?"
I'd be surprised if your children don't say, "Yes."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world is always ready to teach our children about things which don't please You. May we be just as eager to teach our children about the Savior whose life was offered for our redemption. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by the WEB Staff from Fox 8 News on June 9, 2018. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://myfox8.com/2018/06/09/father-holding-a-baby-runs-on-stage-to-hold-his-ballet-dancing-daughters-hand-after-she-becomes-stage-fright/
Also Katherine Beard at https://www.dancespirit.com/this-dad-performing-his-daughters-dance-routine-is-the-cutest-thing-youll-see-all-week-2577163341.html
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Charles Darwin, Warren Buffet, Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Jefferson, Carly Simon, Brian Wilson, Laurence Olivier, Mark Twain, Barbra Streisand, and Bella Daniels: all of these folk have one thing in common.
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