A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Kristin Stiles
We live in a society where virtual interactions are increasingly becoming more common than face-to-face interactions. As a result, many feel isolated and alone. We hear far too many stories of children and teens who are struggling with depression and feel like they are all alone in their struggles. God did not mean for it to be that way – especially within the church. The Bible is replete with “one another” passages that encourage and even command us to take care of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Much of that care cannot happen apart from the time that is spent with each other in the local church environment. Meg is Not Alone is a very sweet book for children that illustrates this love and care that is present within the church family.
Due to a miscommunication between her parents, young Meg is left behind at church when her parents leave at the end of the service. Her immediate feelings of fear and panic are allayed by various members of her church family as they rally around her to comfort and entertain her while they contact her parents to return to pick her up. She knows these people and knows she can trust them to take care of her while she waits. They happily stay with her until she is back in the company of her father. Her parents apologize for their mistake and then explain what a blessing it is to have a church family that takes serious Jesus’ command to love one another.
For all of us who are blessed to be a part of a close-knit church family, we can think of many times that these brothers and sisters in Christ have stepped up to provide aid, encouragement, admonishment, sympathy, and prayer in our need. Hopefully, we can also think of many times when we were able to extend a helping hand, as well. These situations should be shared with our children to help them learn that one reason God provided us with the local church model was so that we could love each other in such tangible ways. This book can extend and expand that conversation. Little ones can be encouraged to pay attention to how they are loved and cared for at church and think about ways that they can participate in loving others at church.
As our culture seems to sink ever lower, our relationships within the church become more and more important. Having a simple, delightful book that can encourage that in your children is needed now more than ever.
Kristin Stiles is a home-school mom, a Sunday School teacher, and helps lead the “Young, Reading, & Reformed” children’s ministry at Reformed Baptist Church of Franconia, PA.
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MEG IS NOT ALONE, by Megan Hill