Does equality mean everyone gets the same? Not always!
Imagine a row of chairs, each a different size. And imagine a line of people, all a different size. The chairs and the people in Reception are all small, but the chairs for the adults are all big, just like the adults who sit in them!
Sometimes equality means getting something that fits us – the big people get big chairs and the little people get little chairs.
But what if a big person and a little person wanted to look each other in the eye? If the adult’s on a big chair and the reception child is on the little chair, they can’t look each other in the eye so well! But if the adult if they swap, they can see eye to eye – the big chair and the little person make the same height as the little chair and the big person!
And what if you’re trying to reach something? If the reception child can’t reach the high shelf, is it because they are too small? Or because the shelf is too high? Just like if a person in a wheelchair can’t get through the door is it because they have a wheelchair that is too wide, or because the door is too narrow? If we want things to be equal, we don’t make everything the same, we make sure everyone gets what they need.
So first we have to notice each other. Really really notice each other. This is something we can all do.
But the best noticer is God. He knows us each so well that he knows the number of hairs on our heads, and knows what we need before we even ask, and loves us all more than we can ever know. He knows everything about us tha makes us special and unique.
Prayers:
Jesus said, God knows what you need before you even ask.
Think quietly about the things that worry you, about the things that challenge you, about the things that you are proud or, or afraid of.
Thank you God that you know all about us. Thank you that you hear us when we pray, and even when we don’t.Help us to notice what the people around us need, so that we can all be the best that we can be and do the best that we can do.
Jesus said, let the little children come to me.
Think about the opportunities you have, the chances to shine and be noticed, the people who care for you and love you and teach you.Think about children in other parts of the world who don’t haveall the things we enjoy here.
Dear God, Thank you for all the ways that we are blessed here. Show us how to help others to have a chance to live life to the full.
Jesus said, not one of the little ones that belong to me will be lost.
Think about the people you know who are specially in need, because they are ill, or lonely, or afraid of something, or facing a big problem in their life. Think about the ways that you can show them they are cared for.
Dear God, thank you that you love every single one of us more than we can ever know. When we are feeling alone or when we think we’re not being noticed, help us remember that you are always watching over us.
SONG:
He’s got the whole world in his hands
He’s got the whole wide world in his hand,s
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got everybody here in his hands…
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