“How would Jesus parent?”

This was the thought that came to mind as I walked the track at the YMCA this week. I mean, he must’ve had to help out with his siblings being the oldest, so being around kids wasn’t foreign to him. His brother James likely had a good relationship with His older brother - so much so that he would follow Jesus as one of his apostles.

I asked Andrew what he thought about this and said, “ Why don’t you try asking the Spirit to bring a verse to mind that might help you.” (Good advice.)

So what came to mind? Matthew 19:13-15 (The Message)
One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.”

Come unto me.

So many times, I think, “I should be doing more - I am missing the mark with my kids” - and on the hook for their choice to know or not know God. When it comes to your kiddos, do you ever worry that you’ve plain messed it up?

But all He says is bring those kiddos to me and I’m ready to accept them just as they are. He blesses and prays for them.

One of my good friends said her goal is that if her children go looking for God, she wants to make sure they know where to find Him. Not forcing faith but opening the door. The parents in Matthew knew where to find Jesus and Jesus welcomed them to His lap. So, what we’re doing is providing access. Access to love. Access to compassion. Access to the God of the universe who loves them beyond comprehension and wildly.

So yes, we definitely want to provide access to Jesus and His love, but I’ll raise you one: Belonging. Jesus made it clear that the children belonged with Him. Not as second class citizens standing by the wayside.

Our Union Kids team gets this and I’m so grateful. I get goosebumps when I see the kids streaming into the cafe on Sunday mornings because I know they will have the opportunity to belong and no requirement to believe. That’s not our job. Our job as parents and teachers is to show up, welcome kids, introduce them to God and then trust that Spirit has got this, got them. We seek to be "access to God" in action.

As our children get older, we know that our control over them - even though mostly that is an illusion to begin with - lessens. So, in this season, we can serve as seed-planters, guides, comforts, but not a savior for our kids by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe all that’s required is reminding your kids that they are loved, by you, God and our broader community. Reminding them that God is near, whether you think you've “parented right” or not.

What do you think? How would Jesus parent ? Does that thought shape how we introduce our children to our Savior and seek to provide a space of belonging? What resonates with you?

This Sunday, January 15
Chandra Jamerson will be leading our Union Kids time this week. Kids will join in the beginning of the worship time and then dismissed to the back. Nursery care will be available for the entire worship time for children who are infants through age 3, led by Grace Lee and Linden Beeman.

Play and Learn Field Trip - Wednesday, January 18

Play and Learn will take a field trip this week to Uwajimaya on January 18, led by Sachiko Smith. Please contact Sharon at 206.931.2392 if you are interested in meeting up with the group that morning.

Play and Learn returns to 415 Westlake on Wednesday, January 25 at 10 AM - 11:30 AM, with an optional snack time from 11:30 AM to 12 noon. This drop-in style play time for children ages infant to five. Please contact Kathy Foster at Kathy-Foster@comcast.net for more info.

Parents’ Prayer (Zoom call), Friday, January 27
The next parents’ prayer time is January 27 at 12:30 PM. Grab a bite to eat then jump on the Zoom call for 20 minutes and be ready for your next meeting at 1 PM or on to the rest of your day. This is a time of guided prayer to pray for our children, as well as pray for schools, teachers and families. I will send a separate email with the Zoom link.

Blessings,
Sharon

Sharon Mead
Union Church Children’s & Family Ministry Lead
sharon@unionchurchseattle.org
206.931.2392 talk/text