"Worth their weight in gold"

[NOTE: This was from 11/12... server was down yesterday. Sorry.]

"The precious children of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold - how they are reckoned as earthen pots, the work of a potter's hand."

(Lamentations 4:2)

The temple in Jerusalem, once a majestic image of splendor & riches, now lies in pieces. The sacred stones are scattered. The gold has grown dim. And yet, there is FINE GOLD all around, if only the people could see! That gold is the CHILDREN of the city. The children, however, are being treated as clay pots - not the priceless gold they truly are.

Children continue to be a much-maligned group today around the world. Our youth group recently finished watching a powerful DVD from "Invisible Children" (www.invisiblechildren.com) about the children of Uganda - those being abducted as child soldiers, and those involved in "night commuting," traveling long distances just to sleep in a safe place at night, and not get abducted. Wes Stafford's incredible book, Too Small To Ignore, about children & poverty around the world, also speaks loudly to my heart. Here in Hawaii, Aiea UMC is involved in Common Grace, a local ministry that matches the kindness of a local church with the needs of a local elementary school (mentor/friend relationships - one hour a week!). God yearns for the children of the world to be loved, cared for, and be able to grow into their future!

PRAYER: May I ever keep the plight of children in my heart, so I can always reach out to them in love, grace & compassion... both here and abroad! AMEN.