John 1: 12-13

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one.” NRSV

The writer of 1 John addresses the young in these verses and offers hope. He addresses them and gives them a face and a name. He lets them know that they are important to God. How often do we stop to deal with children and young people as individuals? We must move away from the tendency to see them as a bother and as a nuisance. If that is how we view them how can we expect great things from them? We must give them hope and help them to realize the greatness that God has placed within them. Neglect of the young is too common. How do we expect them to learn if all we give them are those prepackaged meals in plastic bags and bottles, often loaded with salt, sugar and preservatives? Good nutrition is very important. We must consider the whole person and nourish physically, spiritually, mentally and educationally and the last is often dependent on the previous ones. Only one student raised his hand to say that his parent prepared him breakfast on the morning of major national test. Now, is it too much to ask to give your child a good home cooked meal? And neglect goes beyond providing material things because many parents and guardians believe that is enough. How about an encouraging word, a smile, scolding in love and the like? We must seek to be more and more like Jesus in all that we do. Let us encourage a youngster today.