Glorious Interruptions
A 7-year-old boy who has been experiencing nightmares is invited to color a picture that describes what the nightmares are like. He reaches for the crayons and picks out blacks and browns and reds, scribbling dark, jagged-looking shapes surrounding a small stick figure in a square, which he explains is him in his bed. A prayer minister gently asks him what kind of feelings go with the picture and he replies “scared” and “bad”. The prayer minister asks if he’d like to let Jesus help him draw a new picture and he nods.
A fresh piece of paper is produced.
The minister begins by asking Jesus where he is during the nightmares and, right away, the boy says he can picture Jesus in the chair right next to his bed. And what does Jesus want the boy to know? “That he’s always with me and I don’t have to be afraid.” More questions are asked, more answers received. By the end of the ministry time, the dark shapes have been replaced by a yellow sun, a very colorful family pet, and two stick figures holding hands. Jesus and the boy. Both are smiling.
A teenage girl shares that she is dreading the start of a new school year. She explains that she feels anxious and unprepared for the challenges of the next grade level. A prayer minister suggests asking Jesus how he feels about the coming school year. The girl’s face registers amazement, “The word ‘expectant’ just popped into my head. I think he’s saying he’s looking forward to it because good things are going to happen for me.” A huge grin spreads across her face as anxiety and tension are released.
These are just two of the hundreds of stories of young people hearing from God at ONE. Many kids come in just for fun and easy connection with God. At other times, they come in with thoughts and emotions swirling because of the situations they’re wrestling with, but then God steps in and the whole process is gloriously interrupted! At ONE, we help God “step in” by helping kids connect with His heart and voice, so they can process upsetting experiences in the context of His love.
At ONE, we teach the whole family how to disconnect from the pain of life and connect with God to find peace, clarity, and comfort. Medical researchers know that trauma has a way of making us feel “stuck”. We know from experience that God is in the “getting UNstuck” business!
Has your child been through something hard? Something frightening? What about you? Have you been hit with upsetting news or circumstances? In our world today, the odds of experiencing trauma are pretty high. Maybe you wouldn’t even think to label it as traumatic, but if you or your child have experienced distress, pain, or fear to any degree it was very likely a form of trauma.
The good news - the GREAT news - is that ONE is uniquely prepared to help you and your children heal from trauma and then flourish and thrive. The key is discovering just how easy it is for each member of your family to connect with God! We do this through personal prayer appointments, family worship nights, and prayer through art sessions. Older children and teens especially enjoy prayer through art, and we are glad to host groups.
Children often tell us that they “feel happy again” after receiving ministry at ONE. Click on this short video to hear from kids who’ve heard from God. Listen to them describe how connecting with God’s love at ONE has changed their lives.
Join us in our mission to help families become wholehearted! Register now to sponsor our “Raise Your Racquets” tennis tournament benefiting ONE’s ministry to children and families.
To register as a sponsor, email: Cari@one-sa.org
Want to know who is the most powerful children’s minister in your child’s life? YOU! We are delighted to share one of our healing tools with you - a crafted prayer for trauma ministry that you can read over your child while they are going about their day, whether they’re asleep or awake. There is also a recorded version for your use. May they both play a part in unraveling every effect of trauma.