Small Mighty Ways

The 50^th anniversary of Apollo 11 transported me back to that day, sitting on the ottoman in our neighbor’s living room. I was nine years old, and Ed and Nadine had invited me over to watch the landing on the moon. We didn’t have a TV at my house and I guess they didn’t want me to miss such a big moment of history. They were new neighbors, but they continued doing thoughtful things like that for me.  Small things that added up to mighty things over time. They let me listen in while Ed talked on his CB radio. They let me borrow their National Geographic magazines for my school projects. Their house was where I ran when someone tried to break into ours one summer day. They hired me to mow their lawn when I got older. And they always talked to me like I mattered.

I want to be more like Ed and Nadine. I want to be the nice old neighbor lady. I want to be the adult that children want to be around. The kind of grownup who still does fun things. The one who made children feel like they matter.

But this is a different age than the one I grew up in. The spotlight has revealed corners of child abuse with unsuspected family and friends. That helpful spotlight can hold us back from interacting at all, for fear of getting in a vulnerable situation. But then we lose the chance to help them. We lose the chance to imitate Christ.

Three of the gospels record the story of Jesus scolding his disciples for sending the children away. Luke tells it this way:

One day some mothers brought their babies to him to touch and bless. But the disciples told them to go away. Then Jesus called the children over to him and said to the disciples, “Let the little children come to me! Never send them away! For the Kingdom of God belongs to men who have hearts as trusting as these little children’s.” [Luke 18:15-16, TLB]

So what we do in this era of caution? How do we balance things? How do we be the nice adult in a child’s life without worrying their parents or putting ourselves at risk? Here are three small but mighty things you can do.

1)    Get to know the whole family, not just the child.

Build a relationship with the parents first. Include the whole family. Learn everyone’s name. Include the whole family when you take over a holiday goody bag. Smile and speak to every family member when you see them out working or playing in the yard. It has never been appropriate to just befriend the child.

2)    Pray for them.

If you keep a prayer journal/list, add their names and pray God’s protection and favor on them. Or whisper a prayer for them every time you see them outside. As you get to know the family better, you’ll learn specific needs to pray about. 

3)    Speak blessing over the child whenever you see them.

At every opportunity, say something positive to the child. Maybe ‘I saw how hard you kicked that ball. You must be so strong!’ or ‘I noticed you do a great job sharing with your little brother.’ Mr. Rogers taught us how impactful spoken affirmation is. Spoken blessings are even more powerful. They are positive statements that invoke the blessings of God upon another.

In a prayer, you direct your words to God. In a blessing, you direct your words to the person receiving the blessing. My pastor speaks this blessing at the end of every service. God instructed Moses and Aaron to say to the people of Israel.

May the Lord bless you and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

                                                     [Numbers 6:24-26, NLT]

You could keep it simple and just say one of these lines. Or create your own shorter spoken blessing. Speaking blessings will feel more awkward than saying hello or sending up a prayer. But give it a try!

Befriending, praying, and speaking blessing are three small but mighty ways you can be one of the good adults to the next generation. They will run into many adults who are not in their corner. Be one of the ones who show them they matter in small mighty ways.