“Sweetheart, our friendship is like a great big wall and every time you tell me something that's not true, a brick is slipped out… first, a brick from the bottom, and then one from the top; the next time, one on the right side, followed by one on the left.… Please tell me, Sweetheart… what's going to happen to our friendship wall?” I so love this precious child and was desperately clinging to the Lord as I tried to illustrate the consequences of dishonesty and stir up a hunger for God's grace.
“Well… it's probably gonna fall down, Granny Pam,” I was told. At that moment, the first missing brick was replaced, followed by another, and then another as this repentant child freely admitted to repeated acts of dishonesty in word and deed.
At Granny's House, we want to major on building strong, authentic relationships with the children, and the most effective ministry all-too-often happens on the heels of conflict: a fight, a lie, stealing.
I used to think that sweet little lessons paired with clever hands-on craft illustrations would carve God's ways into the heart of a child. Sometimes God does use those means, but more and more, we're learning the power and importance of building and strengthening our “friendship walls” as a vehicle for sharing God's Truth. Granny's House kids greatly benefit from being encircled by walls of protection, encouragement, and Truth, providing a really safe place to explore and experience His kindness, mercy, and restoration.
-Granny Pam
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