By Natasha Smith 
A friend sent me a picture of our youngest daughter standing at the altar during a moment of corporate prayer at church. My husband told me as they were making their way to the front, she quietly slipped through the crowd, straight to the altar. It was a spontaneous uninstructed moment. Her small frame, standing there, surrounded by the presence of God, was a reminder of how much children absorb even when we think they aren’t paying attention.
I remembered earlier in the worship service hearing a baby cry in the sanctuary. As parents, we sometimes feel self-conscious when our children make noise during church, but my heart silently prayed, “I hope they stay. It’s okay, just keep coming.”
Because that’s what it’s about . . . bringing our kids into the room, into God’s presence. Even when they don’t seem to be listening. Even when they’re restless or distracted, the atmosphere seeps into their little hearts. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). It’s in these moments that God’s Word is planted in their hearts.
After the service, my husband asked our daughter, “How’d you like worship night?” You see, her age group is typically not in the sanctuary with the adults.
She grinned. “It was fun! But Mommy’s song was so dramatic!” I led a slower song that night, so in other words, my song was too slow for her. I could only chuckle.
She loves the upbeat worship songs, the ones where she can jump around with her hands lifted high. And isn’t that what we want? To see our children worship freely, with no shame, no fear of judgment. A big shoutout to kids’ ministries for teaching our children to worship with abandon, reminding them that God is worthy of praise at every age and stage.
So, bring them into the room. Bring them into the room where there is praying. Bring them into the room where there is singing. Bring them into the room where there is worship. Bring them into the room where there is preaching, teaching, and the reading of God’s Word.
And not just the joyful moment, bring them into the room when there is grieving. Show them how to grieve in healthy ways, rooted in faith and trust in God. Bring them in when life is hard, when tears fall, and when prayers seem unanswered. Show them that God is the God of all things, the God of comfort, the God of peace, the God who is always present. Just bring them into the room.
There is no doubt that God is working in them. He is surrounding them with His presence, preparing their hearts, and sowing seeds of faith. Our pastors often remind us that children aren’t just the future generation; they are the now generation. God is moving in them now, using their small hands, feet, and voices for His glory.
The writer of Deuteronomy reminds us, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. When them on doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NIV).
This is our calling, to weave God’s truth into the everyday moments, into every corner of our lives, and into the hearts of our children. And it starts by bringing them into the room.
As I look at that picture of my daughter standing at the altar, I’m reminded that it’s not about making sure everything is perfect or polished. It’s about showing up, bringing our children with us, and trusting God is moving in ways we may never fully understand. God is writing their stories, just as He’s writing ours.
So, bring them into the room, and let God do the rest.
by Jordan Pederson 
