No matter how young or old you are, you can always find joy in praising Jesus.
I confess, life has caught me up in a whirlwind of responsibilities and I have put my blog on a hold for a long time – not because I wanted to, but because I just couldn’t quite fit it in or even think about it much. Ever so often, it would cross my mind and I would think, “I’ve got to get back to blogging.” Then something would come up and I would find myself in survival mode and again skip taking the time to do it.
You see I have family living with me right now – for which I am very thankful and my mom who is 92 and lives almost 300 miles away from me is needing more care. I have been taking trips back and forth to help her – again I am thankful that I have been able to do that. In the process though, blogging has been put on hold. Then a couple of weekends ago, I went to women’s conference because I desperately needed a refresh in my life. I kind of felt like my faith had grown stale and while I still believed that God loved me, my walk with Him just didn’t quite have the zest it once had. While at the conference, I felt God saying to me, “Dream big!” and the big thing that came to mind over and over again was my blog. So here I am, at last, making and attempt to start again. I told God that He would have to help me because I didn’t know if I can do it or even find the time to attempt to blog. I may start sporadic, please be patient with me. Sporadic or not, I know God has something in store for me and I hope for you too. Like me, I hope God is giving you “Big Dreams” because I believe He has “Big Dreams” for you. By the way, if feels so good to be back. I’m starting small in that I am only going to share a children’s story this week. So here goes …
STORY: The Praise Parade
Clip, clop, clip clop went the donkey, (Pat knees with hands.)
That Jesus rode on that day.
Eagerly the children watched, (Put hands by eyes as though looking for someone.)
As Jesus rode their way.
They knew that Jesus loved them. (Give self a hug.)
He was their special friend.
He said, “Let the children come to me.” (Beckon come with hands.)
And He welcomed and blessed them.
A BIG crowd had gathered, (Stand up.)
On both sides of the road,
Spreading their coats and palm branches, (Wave palm branches)
They praised Jesus as He rode.
It was a special day,
Just like a big parade. (March in place.)
The people shouted, “Hosanna!” (Shout, “Hosanna!”)
What a happy sound they made!
Even the children shouted, (Say Yeah, Jesus!)
“Hosanna!” to Jesus their friend.
Joining the happy celebration,
They shouted their praise to Him. (Say Yeah, Jesus!)
Jesus wants us to praise Him.
You can praise Him too.
Praise Him by saying, “Thank you,
Yeah, Jesus! I really love you.”
A few days after all the people praised Jesus, He died for you and me. He died for us because He loved us and wanted to rescue and forgive us. He didn’t stay dead though. He rose from the dead. He is alive again. That’s why we celebrate Easter because Jesus is alive! He loves you so much and wants to be your forever friend. You can ask Him to be your friend by asking Him to forgive your sins (anything wrong that you have done) and help you to live for Him.
Who wants to be your forever friend? Jesus wants to be my forever friend.
What can you do? I can love and praise Jesus.
PLEASE NOTE:
For little ones I don’t focus on the brutality of Jesus death or even that a few days after Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, a few short days after the people praised Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him!” At that point in time, the people thought Jesus was coming to be king on earth. They didn’t understand Jesus plan and perhaps they didn’t want to understand. They had their own ideas and agendas, at least the religious leaders did. But we know the rest of the story. We know Jesus rose triumphant from the grave and we know what His sacrifice bought for us. Yes, we are on the other side of the crucifixion and resurrection. Don’t forget however, that it was just as much our sin that put Jesus on the cross as it was the people who lived back then. Any one of us could have easily been part of that crowd shouting, “Crucify Him!” Then when you think of what Jesus did for you, praise Him with a jubilant voice. There is joy in praising Jesus! There is much joy because we are rescued, redeemed and received into His family because of Jesus.
Faith Steps and More 