Serving with a Heart Like Jesus

Focus, Attention, and . . . Frogs? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ If you cannot see images, please [click here]( [logo]( [Men's Ministry]( [Women's Ministry]( [Children's Ministry]( [General Ministry]( [The Advantage]( Attention, and . . . Frogs?]( [Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”]( 19:14]( 1901, the White House was completely overrun by children and animals. This was not an enemy invasion; all the children and all the animals were fully invited!]( Theodore Roosevelt began his presidency in 1901, his wife and six children moved into the White House with him. The six children brought along a menagerie of creatures. There was a small bear (yes, a bear!) named Jonathan Edwards. There was a lizard named Bill, a pig named Maude, and a badger named Josiah. As if that were not enough, there were five guinea pigs—Admiral Dewey, Dr. Johnson, Bishop Doane, Fighting Bob Evans, and Father O’Grady. By way of birds, there was blue macaw named Eli Yale, a hen named Baron Spreckle, and a rooster with only one leg. Rounding out this small zoo was a hyena, a barn owl, and Peter the rabbit. Lastly, there was Algonquin the pony.]( when one of the Roosevelt children was sick in bed, the other children arranged for Algonquin to ride the elevator up to visit the sick boy in his room.]( ever President Roosevelt asked his children to come to him, they would undoubtedly come with toads in their pockets, snakes in their hands, and a lizard or two, as well.]( his earthly ministry, Jesus once asked the little children to come to him. And, like the pets in Roosevelt’s White House, Jesus’ request caught some people off guard. When people began to bring their children to Jesus, the disciples were not especially keen on this idea:]( children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people. Matthew 19:13]( that culture, children went mostly unnoticed. They were so unimportant that the disciples thought they had no place near an important teacher like Jesus.]( however, noticed the unnoticeable. Jesus markedly cared about these unremarkable little ones. Jesus served the little children by paying attention to them:]( the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14]( with a heart like Jesus begins by recognizing that Jesus has paid attention to you. He noticed you in your sin and shame and did something about it: Jesus focused his life on the cross and the empty tomb, and he paid the greatest price to redeem you. As a recipient of this gift of grace, you have been served by Jesus to go and serve like Jesus.]( and attention are in short supply these days. With so many distractions all around us—smartphones, earbuds, social media—it is very easy for us to pay no attention to people right in front of us. Serve with a heart like Jesus by simply giving your attention to those around you. They will notice! And who knows what you will notice—maybe even a child with a toad in hand!]( Try doing a “distraction fast” sometime this week. Consider what it is that keeps you from paying attention to others (maybe your smartphone or social media) and fast from that for a full day. Use this time to focus on others.]( [Editor's Note: This devotion is taken from the Serving With a Heart Like Jesus devotion book written by A. Trevor Sutton. This devotion book is written for volunteers and staff and makes a wonderful appreciation gift. Serving With a Heart Like Jesus features 30 days of devotions focused on the “why?” of serving others and takes encouragement from the greatest servant – Jesus.]( [Grab This Book Today]( Serving with a Heart Like Jesus Handouts]( [Softcover Devotion Book and Pen Gift Set - Serving with a Heart Like Jesus]( Softcover Devotion Book and Pen Gift Set - Serving with a Heart Like Jesus [Shop now]( [Inspirational Desk Cross- Serving with a Heart Like Jesus]( Inspirational Desk Cross- Serving with a Heart Like Jesus [Shop now]( [Pen & Bookmark Gift Set - Serving with a Heart Like Jesus]( Pen & Bookmark Gift Set - Serving with a Heart Like Jesus [Shop now]( [Softcover Devotion Book- Serving with a Heart Like Jesus]( Softcover Devotion Book- Serving with a Heart Like Jesus [Shop now]( [Thank You for Growing Seed Gift Pack- Serving with a Heart Like Jesus]( Thank You for Growing Seed Gift Pack- Serving with a Heart Like Jesus [Shop now]( [Notepad & Pen Gift Set - Serving with a Heart Like Jesus]( Notepad & Pen Gift Set - Serving with a Heart Like Jesus [Shop now]( [Did you know . . . ?]( can listen to CTA's Focus on Leadership podcast on your favorite podcast app! 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