[Jesus] was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10:14b

Many years ago, when I was both young in body and courageous in spirit, I would be dropped off at Sunday school, dash to the side door, and run down the stairs into a large room filled with groups of chairs. It was there in that noisy community that the Holy Spirit encouraged my faith. I can still see a flash of a filmstrip about Abraham and, oh yes, the flannelgraph. Nothing high tech about reciting the Catechism together, but the words still echo in my mind and bolster my faith. I still treasure the little plaque with John 3:16 that my Sunday school teacher gave me for Christmas. As members of an ongoing community, let us go forward with a flannelgraph faith — growing one piece at a time, each with a purpose. When the whole scene is done, there is our life, maybe a little lopsided, but designed by God according to His will.

Elise Koenemann
New Haven, IN

Spirit of God, give me a continually child-like faith. Amen.

Reflect: What Bible verses or Catechism parts do you remember?

Read: Proverbs 22:6 and Luke 2:22