The colorful preschool chairs around the u-shaped table quickly filled with eager little ones. As they each found their place, they wiggled excitedly waiting to say the words they had memorized. It was the same verse each week for a whole month. The story was different, but the words of the verse were repeated often. And they stuck.
“He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
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I sat at my kitchen table searching for words to write to a troubled friend. She was going through some difficult days. I had no words of wisdom. My heart ached for her. How could I encourage her? With my fingers on the keyboard, I silently prayed for God to give me the right words.
“He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
It was like a neon sign in my mind. It seemed God was saying, “Remind her that I care deeply about what she is going through. I am by her side.”
All my words of encouragement had fallen off the page as I started and restarted my note to my friend. Yet those few short words, embedded into my young heart many years earlier at that u-shaped table, were filled with comfort and hope. Those few short words let my friend know ... God is here through the hard days. God cares about what you are going through. God will care for you in the midst of the challenges.
“He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
The words stuck. My friend grasped the hope those few words offered, and they helped anchor her though those difficult days. She was not alone. God cared. He strengthened her and gave her resilience and wisdom as she leaned hard on His love and care.
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The impressionable minds of our children — and especially our preschoolers — soak up the words and the stories of where we find our help in anxious times. Our actions speak louder than words as we take their little hands in ours and together ask Jesus to walk with us through new and sometimes scary experiences as they grow day by day in this big uncertain world.
“God cares for ME.” – 1 Peter 5:7
The promises of God, from the Bible, anchor us in the storms of life. They bring a peace that is beyond understanding as we lean into God’s love and care, into His comfort and wisdom. Layering the truths into our little ones’ hearts and minds will help anchor them as they grow. Repeating our own trust in God’s loving care, even as we face uncertain days, will not only keep us anchored in His love, but will demonstrate a peace and calm in our lives and homes. This gives our child a security that is found in nothing else. A security that comes from faith in God Himself.
Our own reservoirs of strength and resilience can run low. Our own wisdom often fails. The hope we hold out to those who come behind us is the hope and confidence that God truly does love us. He truly does offer His help and strength, His hope and peace. He truly cares. We are not alone.
His promises are the anchor that steadies us whether walking through the kindergarten door for the first time, or walking into a job interview, a doctor’s office, a hospital room, or even the grocery store where we need to stretch our dollar. “God cares! He cares for YOU.”
Repeat it often. Rely on it daily. Layer resilient faith into the hearts and minds of the little ones. Layer the words of Scripture into the foundations of their little lives as you model confidence in Jesus. That makes all the difference!
“He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
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