Challenged By A Child

April 18, 2017 | By Chuck

I had preached the early service, taught my Bible class and visited with many wonderful brothers and sisters whom I dearly love. I then settled into a chair on the front right row as I prepared to preach at our second service. Then it happened. I was totally caught off guard and challenged. Yes, I was definitely challenged. I'm sure you all have heard me speak on the importance of being challenged. In fact, I try hard to challenge each of you every Sunday. As communion was being passed around this young boy, Carter Lercher, makes his way to me with the bread. I always partake of communion at first service, just a habit I developed seven years ago when we moved to Cabot, so I politely explained that I had already partaken and the young servant moved on to the next row. I think it's fantastic that each time Greg serves communion his son Carter serves too. That's a great example and Carter is good at it, you'll see as I continue my story. Pretty soon communion was over and the collection plates were being passed around. That's when I was challenged. Being the faithful servant, Carter brought the collection plate to me. I explained to young Carter that I had given my check at early service, but Carter didn't flinch. He wasn't going anywhere. As his eyes stared deep into my eyes I got the point that I'd better dig deeper into my wallet because Carter wasn't walking away with an empty collection plate. I seldom carry cash but fortunately for me I found $1 in my wallet that I quickly placed in the collection plate. With that dollar bill in the plate Carter moved on to his next victimâ?¦..sorry, I mean the next row. I couldn't help but laugh, but I also couldn't help but think that Carter is good at taking up the collection and that probably needs to be his job every Sunday. Carter challenged me and I'm glad he did. It's amazing to me what we can learn from children. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."(Mt.18:3-4)