REFLECTIONS ON FAITH: INSPIRED BY CHILDREN. Este artículo no está disponible.REFLECTIONS ON FAITH: INSPIRED BY CHILDREN

If we seek God, we will see Him revealed in the people and events in our lives. Including children. Hide and seek, tantrums, sleep, hospital, homework, graduating … can each help us to reflect on faith. That is the purpose of this book. As you read these reflections, it is likely they will conjure familiar images for you. I hope they will also help you to meditate on God and your relationship with Him. Each of the sixty brief reflections is inspired by everyday experiences and emotions. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover. It is designed to be dipped into, sequentially or not, with favourite passages revisited from time to time. Perhaps it will inspire you to add your own reflections on the theme. This is a book for men and women, parents and grandparents … anyone who has experienced the delights and stresses of raising children from infancy to adulthood. Sample:WITH YOU‘I just want to be with you.’That’s what he said, Father. I was busy doing what I thought important, Shut away in my room. And then unannounced, unexpected, He was there beside me,Squatting on the floor, Running the toy car across the carpet. ‘Why are you here?’ I asked,Resentful at the intrusion into my space, into my thoughts.And he simply said, ‘I just want to be with you.’Guilt. That was my first feeling.Tenderness, my second.What did I do to be so blessed?What did I do to deserve such love?What did I do that he should want nothing more than to be with me—Not expecting a story nor a game;Just wanting to be with me. Is that how you feel, Father?I ask so much:do this for me;help that person;solve this problem;make that happen.You must think me a demanding child. How delighted you must be when I just want to be in your presence. So here I am, Father—no agenda,no requests,Just wanting to be with you. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. (Isaiah 55: 6, NIV)

Dr Phil Ridden has been involved in education as teacher, curriculum writer and consultant, professional development consultant, deputy principal and principal, and board member of two colleges and two not-for-profit organisations. He has written numerous books, and received several leadership awards. In semi-retirement, he continues to write, consult and present. He and his wife are foster carers of infants with the Department of Communities. He regularly leads worship by invitation in several churches.