1045AFC110510
Aloha pumehana, Beloved, on this Aloha Friday. Today I am remembering a Bible verse I learned from my Kindergarten Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Wright. There are two verses that carry the same message, so I will place both of them here:
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.
And a similar verse …
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
There is a story connected to the verse from Ephesians that became part of our family’s oral traditions. When I originally learned the verse, it was spoken as “Children obey your parents in the Lord for Mrs. Wright.” (see also 936AFC090409) My mom and dad – and especially Mrs. Wright – told that story often, and even now as I remember it, the good things in the part of my past bring me a happy feeling of peace and connection to my family as the principle source of guidance in the formation of my faith.
From time to time we have seen emails that contain prayers kids recite or make up on their own, incidents were words are misconstrued, or where the simplicity of their prayers exposes the profundity of their faith. I’ve sifted through some of those and here are some of my favorites.
========
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically
impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a
very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.”
The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?”
The little girl replied, “Then you ask him.”
++++++++
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
“Take only ONE. God is watching.”
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”
Sometimes unexpected words show up in familiar prayers:
• Our Father, Art, in heaven …
• Hail Mary, full of grapes ….
• Hour Father who art in heaven, Howard be thy name …
• A little girl name her cross-eyed Teddy Bear “Gladly” because her Sunday School class sang the hymn, “Gladly the Cross-Eyed Bear”
• The Sunday School teacher asked, “Why should you be quiet when sitting with your parents in church?” The little girl answered, “‘Cause my daddy’s asleep?”
• “What’s God’s Name?” “Andy” “Andy? Why would you say that?” “You know, in the song, ‘Andy walks with me. Andy talks with. Andy tells me I am his own.”
• Several children found a dead robin. Feeling that a proper burial should be performed, they secured a small box and some cotton batting, dug a hole in the back yard, and made ready to dispose of the deceased. The minister’s 5-year-old son was chosen to say the prayer. And so with great dignity, he intoned, “Glory be to the Father…and unto the Son…and into the hole he goes.”
• After explaining the commandment to honor your father and mother, a Sunday School teacher asked her class if there was a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters.
One boy, the oldest in his family, immediately answered, “Thou shalt not kill.”
There are of course hundreds more stories like these. If you have a few hanging around in your in-box or My Documents folder, forward them to me so I can put them in the MBN library.
+++++++
Yesterday I sent you a quick note asking for your prayers for the people and island of Haiti. There is still some danger of far-reaching after-effects of hurricane Tomas. Please continue to pray for their protection, and also continue to support the restoration of Haiti with your prayers and your dollars – and if you can even GO there, let us know so we can pray for you there as well.
In addition remember:
• FO, recently diagnosed with cancer and facing many decisions
• Jesus we pray for All the Peoples especially those suffering in Haiti (Daniel & Patterson), Pakistan, Chile, Darfur and in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the Philippines, Indonesia and in other disasters both natural and man-made over the entire world. We pray for Christians and for people of all faiths who are being persecuted for their beliefs.
• BL – Contemplating a religious vocation; strength and sanctity in her discernment
• BW – healing and access to healthcare
• B R – Reconciliation and renewal
• CD – meaningful work closer to home
• DO – stabilized health
• PF – much joy in life in these waning years
• CA – strength and optimism to support exceptional skills at work; positive outcomes for current projects
• DN and family – Peace of mind and great
1045AFC110510
Aloha pumehana, Beloved, on this Aloha Friday. Today I am remembering a Bible verse I learned from my Kindergarten Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Wright. There are two verses that carry the same message, so I will place both of them here:
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.
And a similar verse …
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
There is a story connected to the verse from Ephesians that became part of our family’s oral traditions. When I originally learned the verse, it was spoken as “Children obey your parents in the Lord for Mrs. Wright.” (see also 936AFC090409) My mom and dad – and especially Mrs. Wright – told that story often, and even now as I remember it, the good things in the part of my past bring me a happy feeling of peace and connection to my family as the principle source of guidance in the formation of my faith.
From time to time we have seen emails that contain prayers kids recite or make up on their own, incidents were words are misconstrued, or where the simplicity of their prayers exposes the profundity of their faith. I’ve sifted through some of those and here are some of my favorites.
========
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically
impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a
very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.”
The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?”
The little girl replied, “Then you ask him.”
++++++++
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
“Take only ONE. God is watching.”
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”
Sometimes unexpected words show up in familiar prayers:
• Our Father, Art, in heaven …
• Hail Mary, full of grapes ….
• Hour Father who art in heaven, Howard be thy name …
• A little girl name her cross-eyed Teddy Bear “Gladly” because her Sunday School class sang the hymn, “Gladly the Cross-Eyed Bear”
• The Sunday School teacher asked, “Why should you be quiet when sitting with your parents in church?” The little girl answered, “‘Cause my daddy’s asleep?”
• “What’s God’s Name?” “Andy” “Andy? Why would you say that?” “You know, in the song, ‘Andy walks with me. Andy talks with. Andy tells me I am his own.”
• Several children found a dead robin. Feeling that a proper burial should be performed, they secured a small box and some cotton batting, dug a hole in the back yard, and made ready to dispose of the deceased. The minister’s 5-year-old son was chosen to say the prayer. And so with great dignity, he intoned, “Glory be to the Father…and unto the Son…and into the hole he goes.”
• After explaining the commandment to honor your father and mother, a Sunday School teacher asked her class if there was a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters.
One boy, the oldest in his family, immediately answered, “Thou shalt not kill.”
There are of course hundreds more stories like these. If you have a few hanging around in your in-box or My Documents folder, forward them to me so I can put them in the MBN library.
+++++++
Yesterday I sent you a quick note asking for your prayers for the people and island of Haiti. There is still some danger of far-reaching after-effects of hurricane Tomas. Please continue to pray for their protection, and also continue to support the restoration of Haiti with your prayers and your dollars – and if you can even GO there, let us know so we can pray for you there as well.
In addition remember:
• FO, recently diagnosed with cancer and facing many decisions
• Jesus we pray for All the Peoples especially those suffering in Haiti (Daniel & Patterson), Pakistan, Chile, Darfur and in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the Philippines, Indonesia and in other disasters both natural and man-made over the entire world. We pray for Christians and for people of all faiths who are being persecuted for their beliefs.
• BL – Contemplating a religious vocation; strength and sanctity in her discernment
• BW – healing and access to healthcare
• B R – Reconciliation and renewal
• CD – meaningful work closer to home
• DO – stabilized health
• PF – much joy in life in these waning years
• CA – strength and optimism to support exceptional skills at work; positive outcomes for current projects
• DN and family – Peace of mind and great
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
