Expressions of Faith
What do we tell the children?

By Janet Powell

Since the tragic loss of lives from terrorist attacks in our country, the question has been asked, "What shall we tell our children?" The following is part of what I told the children during the Children's Moment at our Sept. 16 service at Wai'anae United Methodist Church. It is true of any faith in our community.

"God shows us His Love by making us a holy family. When we are together as such, we are strong. Love spreads through our hands and our bodies and we are one as we hold hands. Our love goes on and on and never stops.

"Good things happen when we stay together. We are strong when we pray. When bad things happen, God counts our tears and makes us well. Bad things cannot last. God promises this.

"We are also another kind of family. We have a mom and dad on earth. We get hugs and kisses and we know their love. We may have brothers and sisters, and love goes back and forth.

"We are strong because we are an earthly family. We pray together. We live together and if something bad happens, we know it will not last for long. Our love will last forever. God promises this.

"We are part of another kind of family we don't talk about much. A while ago, you saw something terrible on TV. You saw an explosion. You also saw a lot of American flags. By now, you know you live in America and these are your flags. You know that America is your country.

"Do you know that you are an American? Do you know that you belong to a family known as Americans?

"Your country, America, was made under God, and in God you trust. Bad things, like what happened at the World Trade Center and in Washington, D.C., can happen, but the bad is over. God is stronger, and his good is never over. It goes on and on and on, forever and ever and ever. God promises this.

"In prayer, there is God's power, and no bad can ever win when we are protected by his power. God promises this. So let him heal our hearts."

Janet Powell, of Wai'anae, is a reading specialist.