Investing In The Next Generation

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.

We walked in on a Sunday morning and could feel the excitement as we took our seats near the stage. All of the youth, including our daughter Jasmine, were sitting in the front two rows—ready to perform.

Jasmine turned and smiled at us, and we waved hello. Our daughter loves to dance and sing and takes any opportunity she can to share her talents with others. This Sunday all the youth would be performing things they’d written and rehearsed for the upcoming Fine Arts Festival to be held the following weekend.

We sat back and watched as teens gave short sermons, taught lessons about God’s love to kids, performed piano pieces they’d composed themselves, and danced and acted out “human videos” set to music that told a story.

As Jasmine took the stage before her dance, we could hear the youth leaders and teens cheering her on. My heart swelled with pride, not just at the sight of our girl doing something she loved, but at seeing the support she had in the group. I was struck by how the leaders loved these students so well.

As the teens all went up at the end for prayer, the pastor asked that the elementary kids—the next generation—also come forward. He had the teens pray for the kids coming up after them because, as he told them, “Just as we support you, you want to look for and support those coming up behind you.” As they prayed, I wiped tears, grateful once again for the wise mentors in my daughter’s life.

Every generation is to tell its children of God’s mighty acts—of his faithfulness, love, and mercy. We are to remind those behind us of his great power. To do this we must have a relationship with other generations. We must love them, teach them, and train them to instill the same understanding in those even younger.

As my daughter has found out, you’re never too young to start encouraging and mentoring others. We all need people before us who mentor us and after us who we are pouring our lives into as well.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Thank someone who has mentored you, and then encourage someone you are mentoring.