Hi, my name is Shelley Walatka and I am a member of the Marquette Park Home Group. I have been at Riverside more years than I can count. I spend my time keeping Keith in line :), chasing after five teenagers, and enjoy reading, walking, creating, and eating delicious food.
Today I want you to look at Exodus 7:7
It is amazing how quick we are to judge someone by their age. ‘Too young’ and you just don’t know enough; ‘too old’ and you are not current with the times. I am so thankful that this is not how God looks at us. Whether we are just beginning to speak or we are days away from seeing Jesus face to face, we can be used to help bring God’s kingdom here on earth.
In 2002, I went into labor almost three months early with our twins. As I laid in the hospital bed while doctors and nurses rushed around to try and stop labor, we prayed many prayers. Out in the waiting room, friends gathered to pray over our sweet boys. As they went around the circle, prayer after prayer was whispered, asking God to let them live when they were delivered. As they went around the circle, they got to a little four-year-old girl named Samantha. Samantha prayed “Dear God, please don’t let the babies come today”. Everyone smirked a little, knowing that labor does not stop. But lo and behold, Tommy and Hunter did not show up till 8 days later.
I often think of little Samantha’s prayer, the prayer of a naive young child, who thought to pray what no one else dared to ask. And God listened.
The world may want to look at how smooth your skin is, or encourage you to hide your gray hairs, or even smirk at you because you are young and naive. But thank goodness we have a God who looks at the heart and calls ALL of us into a relationship with him.
Regardless of age, we are all called to Matthew 28:18-20. Take time to read this familiar passage with new eyes and remember what Jesus has called all of us to; to share HIS Gospel with all the world.
- What does it look like in your stage of life to follow God?
- Where might you need to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone?
- Look around-where is there someone in a different stage of life than you that you could learn from or encourage?