When I was a girl, I was shy. I was afraid to step out and stand up for what I believed in. I was too afraid of what other people would think. As simple as it may sound, I remember a time when I would walk over trash as I was walking down the street wanting to pick it up, but I was so focused on myself, concerned with how I would look if I did.

Well, now I realize that because I was so focused on me, I could not live to my full potential. I could not reach out to others and be a light in this world. God has called me…and YOU to love others in a way this world does not know. We are called to be the ones who offer a kind word to the kid who walks into church looking down. We should be the ones who seek out the broken hearted and lonely child, and offer our time. We need to give love when a child knows no love.

There is no time to sit and look pretty, when there is a hurting generation who needs a ray of hope. We are called to action. “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18) The talk without the walk needs to take a walk because people, the time keeps on ticking. God’s plan will prevail nonetheless, but we still have a responsibility to walk the walk.

Forget, following the crowd! When we choose to walk, the crowd will begin to follow. They will not be following you, but they will be after God’s own heart because it is shining so brightly through you! So let’s be an example of God’s everlasting love to the children we minister to, and point them to Christ!!

Ashley Fordinal is the Children’s Church volunteer at Family Life Church in Sulphur Springs, TX.