Latest / HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN® / Patience Series Ep 1: Patience with Children

Transcript

Patience Series Ep 1: Patience with Children · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

• 0:05
  Welcome to Half-Faith, Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
• 0:09
  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
• 0:15
  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
• 0:22
  Two thousand came and the spark was lit. A testimony raw, it wouldn't quit.
• 0:27
  It's mother's voice, a guiding thread.
• 0:54
  Hello, everyone, and welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. My name is Angel Santana,
• 0:59
  and it is truly an honor to be with you here on a Tuesday.
• 1:03
  Well, again, you're going to be hearing some background noise.
• 1:06
  My son Noah is playing with his little tablet.
• 1:09
  But hey, we're a family show, right? So let's get going. Our brand new series is on patience.
• 1:14
  Now, let me just ask you a question. Have you ever been sitting in church,
• 1:19
  everything is quiet, the pastor is preaching,
• 1:23
  and everybody is focused, and suddenly a child decides this is the perfect moment
• 1:29
  to become the lead singer of the choir?
• 1:33
  Maybe they're crying, maybe they're running, maybe they're asking for snacks.
• 1:38
  Every 30 seconds, something is happening, and every parent in that moment is
• 1:43
  thinking the same thing.
• 1:44
  Please, Lord, let this service end peacefully.
• 1:48
  Today, we're talking about patience with children, especially children who are
• 1:53
  still learning the difference between right and wrong, respect and distraction,
• 1:58
  church behavior and playtime.
• 2:00
  And honestly, this episode is not just for parents, it's for grandparents,
• 2:06
  church members, ministry leaders, and anyone who has ever become frustrated
• 2:10
  with a child who simply didn't know any better yet.
• 2:15
  So let's talk about it, because Have Faith Let It Begin starts right now.
• 2:20
  You know, the one thing I've learned over the years is this.
• 2:24
  Children are watching everything, even if it feels like they're not paying attention.
• 2:30
  Even when they're distracted, even when they're coloring or on the bulletin
• 2:36
  instead of listening to the sermon, they're learning.
• 2:41
  And sometimes as adults, we forget that patience is part of teaching.
• 2:46
  I remember seeing parents panic in church because their child was making noise.
• 2:49
  You can see embarrassment all over their face. They're apologizing,
• 2:54
  trying to calm the child down, trying not to disturb anyone.
• 2:58
  Meanwhile, the child doesn't even understand why everyone is upset.
• 3:03
  Because to them, church is still a new experience.
• 3:06
  And I think sometimes we need to stop expecting children to behave like adults
• 3:11
  when they haven't had enough time yet to grow into understanding.
• 3:16
  That doesn't mean there shouldn't be correction, or of course there should, but.
• 3:22
  Correction without grace creates fear, and church should never become a place
• 3:27
  where children only remember being yelled at.
• 3:30
  Church should feel loving, welcoming, safe, because the louder that little children
• 3:37
  today become, tomorrow's worship leaders,
• 3:40
  tomorrow's pastors, tomorrow's prayer warriors, we don't know what God is doing in their life yet.
• 3:47
  So let's reflect on this. and honestly, patience with children also teaching
• 3:52
  us something about ourselves.
• 3:55
  It is teaching us to slow down. It teaches us humility. It teaches us that growth takes time.
• 4:03
  Because if we're being honest with each other this morning, we have to remember
• 4:07
  that God is patient with us too.
• 4:09
  There are moments when we don't listen, moments when we make mistakes.
• 4:14
  Moments when we would or should know better.
• 4:17
  And yet, God still loves us, still teaches us, and still gives us another chance.
• 4:23
  So maybe today the lesson is bigger than parenting.
• 4:26
  Maybe patience is really about remembering that everybody is still growing in
• 4:32
  some areas or some area of life.
• 4:35
  So today, if you are a parent trying your best, just like me, keep going.
• 4:42
  If you're exhausted, keep showing up. If your child made noise in church last
• 4:48
  Sunday, you're not failing.
• 4:51
  And if you're seeing or if you see a struggling parent, offer grace instead
• 4:55
  of judgment because patience is not weakness.
• 4:59
  Patience is love stretched out over time. Let's pray. Heavenly Father,
• 5:04
  we thank you for the gift of children.
• 5:06
  Teach us patience, understanding, and compassion. Help us lead with love and not frustration.
• 5:13
  Remind us that growth takes time and give us wisdom as we pray,
• 5:19
  as we guide the next generation.
• 5:21
  In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
• 5:24
  Well, it's a series. So tomorrow on Have Faith, Let It Begin,
• 5:26
  we're talking about making time for children, making time for your children
• 5:31
  while still making time for yourself.
• 5:33
  Until then, never forget to have faith and let it begin. See you tomorrow.