Our Monday morning began at the chilly creek. Advent alevins, now fry, were ready for release in our watershed. In the cold, dark, and deep they will seek safety, buried snug in a watery world, until they begin their long journey to the ocean.
Dishing up fish.
Hey, there's fish in my cup!
The kids have been caring for these fish for about 8 weeks. They've charted fish growth and water temperature all while interacting with our community at the local water conservation office. (Some days that went better than others!)
As I ponder these tiny fish, I find myself asking a question. In an oftentimes overwhelming world, how do we grow confidence and care in children? How do we get them confidently on their way to the ocean? How do we help them care about small moments? Surely, it's the little things that count. Each moment matters. Each person matters. Each tiny fry matters. We are not to despise small beginnings, or what masquerades as a small moment.
Zechariah 4:10
Tiny fry have something to teach us. Now in the creek, finally released from their small controlled tank, they will make an incredible journey. Navigating waterways and obstructions, they will find a way to thrive in their watery world. They are little, but they will swim strong.
After creek adventures, children head to school and so do I. I help a young reader with his reading assessment. I can't read him his reading assessment, so we talk about what he does know that will allow him to succeed when he reads. I can try to instill confidence, and I may or may not succeed.
I can't tell him about Christ, but I can try to care. I can't tell him to pray before he works on his paper. I always tell my own children to pray. I want to share, "let God be your calm when you are anxious", but I can't.
Little boy with future looming large and many streams to swim, reminds me that Christ is enough. Christ is confidence. Christ is for us. Whether I can utter His name or not. Christ cares so much for little boys, He became one. Surely, Christ remembers being assessed. And Christ is with us in all our moments. He is praying for us, when we don't know what or how to pray.
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding (praying) for us.
As I ponder these tiny fish, I find myself asking a question. In an oftentimes overwhelming world, how do we grow confidence and care in children? How do we get them confidently on their way to the ocean? How do we help them care about small moments? Surely, it's the little things that count. Each moment matters. Each person matters. Each tiny fry matters. We are not to despise small beginnings, or what masquerades as a small moment.
Zechariah 4:10
Tiny fry have something to teach us. Now in the creek, finally released from their small controlled tank, they will make an incredible journey. Navigating waterways and obstructions, they will find a way to thrive in their watery world. They are little, but they will swim strong.
After creek adventures, children head to school and so do I. I help a young reader with his reading assessment. I can't read him his reading assessment, so we talk about what he does know that will allow him to succeed when he reads. I can try to instill confidence, and I may or may not succeed.
I can't tell him about Christ, but I can try to care. I can't tell him to pray before he works on his paper. I always tell my own children to pray. I want to share, "let God be your calm when you are anxious", but I can't.
Little boy with future looming large and many streams to swim, reminds me that Christ is enough. Christ is confidence. Christ is for us. Whether I can utter His name or not. Christ cares so much for little boys, He became one. Surely, Christ remembers being assessed. And Christ is with us in all our moments. He is praying for us, when we don't know what or how to pray.
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding (praying) for us.
Romans 8:35
Christ cares about little schools of fish swimming their way to the ocean, little boys, and reading assessments. Let us work to seek confidence from Christ, for He cares for us.
