Devotions for Kids: Gifts and Stewardship
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Devotions for Kids is a series meant for sharing so that everyone - family and community - can spend time in God's Word together with the children in their lives and grow in faith.
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things
Luke 19:45
What does your room look like when it's messy? Are there toys everywhere or clothes piled up high? Sometimes when things get too messy, you have to stop what you are doing and clean everything up. That's exactly what Jesus did in today's Gospel.
Jesus went to the temple to pray because the temple was a very special and holy place. The temple was God's house in Jerusalem. But when Jesus got there, He saw that things were a mess. There weren't any clothes or toys scattered around, but Jesus found people buying and selling things, talking loudly, and turning the temple into a busy market. Do you think it would be easy to say your prayers while people were shouting and shopping around you? Probably not.
Jesus wasn't happy beacuse He knew God's house was meant for quiet conversation with God! He started making everyone leave, reminding them that the temple should be a place for quiet prayer and time with God. In doing this, Jesus wants us to know that the most important thing we can do when we are in God's special places is to pray and listen to God.
Our Churches are some of those special places, but guess what? You are also a special place for God! At your baptism, the Holy Spirit came to live inside you. You get to take God with you everywhere you go! So, whenever you remember that God lives in you, take a quiet moment to take a deep breath, clear out all the messy parts of your heart and mind, and say a quick prayer, thanking God for the gift of the Holy Spirit in a very special place!
Let's pray: God, thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit within me. Help me to remember that my heart is a home for You. Teach me to be grateful for Your presence always! Amen.
