Children's Time: The Love That Forgives (Sep 15, 2013) - Evaluation

Children’s Time: The Love that Forgives

Prop: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

(source: On The Chancel Steps)

Good morning!

Today I want to talk to you about some wild things…

Specifically Where the Wild Things Are.

I am sure that many of us have had a chance to read this book. For 50 years now, we have been reading this story of Max. And you see, it’s published in Korean as well (Prop: the book in Korean.)

One day, Max and his mom have a quarrel.

His mother calls him, “Wild Thing!” And Max says, “I’ll eat you up!”

So Max is sent to his room without any supper at all. 

From there, Max goes on a great journey to Where the Wild Things Are.

The monsters are excited to see Max; 

they make him their king, celebrating with a wild rumpus… That’s a big, loud party!

Max enjoys all of the fun, but he misses being at home,

misses being loved by his family.

So Max returns home.

At first it seems that his room is the same as when he left, 

but then Max sees his dinner is there waiting for him.

(What may this mean?)

Max’s mother has forgiven him. 

And by coming home and eating his dinner, Max, too, forgives his mother.

See, forgiveness is not just about excusing each other and going our separate ways; forgiveness is about letting go of the hurt so that we can rebuild our relationships.

When I read this book for the first time some years ago, reading it to my older son, I loved to see that the author of this book concluded it with leaving a space for us to imagine the conversation and the warmth Max and his mother probably shared while eating together. 

I wonder if any of us have had a moment like that... 
(maybe get some response..?)

Personally I love to see them eating together after forgiving each other. I believe that’s why we as Christians have communion together, gathering around the table, remembering Jesus who loves us and forgives us.

Forgiveness is always a hard thing to do, but it is one of the most important things we can do; we believe in the power of love that forgives.

People are not perfect. Sometimes families disagree. 

Sometimes friends and neighbours disagree. 

We remember mean events and arguments that have happened around the world. 

We remember people who have been hurt; we remember those who hurt them.

As Christians, we are asked to forgive people who have hurt us.
And we also ask forgiveness when we have hurt others. 
All of us are called to have the love that forgives.
God wants us to know that love has the power to overcome meanness and disagreements in the world. 
God love us, so God forgives. And we love others and ourselves, so we should forgive too. 

Evaluation (in Korean)
It didn't work out quite well. First of all, I found out not all of the kids knew this story. Second, one child responded very well, sharing her own story about having a quarrel with her friend. She added that the moment just resolved naturally and they looked at one another and laughed happily. I responded to her the strength of friendship she has built with her friend helped in there. But a 3 year old girl shared about her brother hitting on her forehead and of course the brother who was sitting next to her at the Children's Time was deeply embarrassed and upset and said "she's lying". And before I found any better words to help them deal with that issue and their hurt and upset feelings, they returned to their parents for the conflict. So...the lesson that I learned from this experience is .... just within that pretty short 5-10 minute children's time, the issue like feeling hurt, forgiving and being forgiven may be pretty tough one for children and minister, if the minister is not very experienced and confident.