WHEN YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB by Robert Soto

WHEN YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB by Robert Soto

February 12, 2010

Proverbs 20:11 "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."

Tonight something happened that totally thrilled my heart. Five Indian children attended our church service. As we were drumming our songs, I could see two of them tapping their feet to the beat of the drum. I saw another singing the songs as she sat quietly. One of them has been drumming with us for about three months. At the end of the church service, we have a time for people to verbalize their prayers. Two adults prayed before I prayed. But before I prayed, the sound of one of the little Indian boys broke the silence and reverence of the room. With a shy little voice that slowly got louder I heard him say, "Dear God, please help me tomorrow pass my math test and help me in school." I was so thrilled to hear him pray and when he finished I held out my hand to him come to me, gave him a big hug and thanked him for the beautiful prayer.

I know this may seem insignificant, but for me as I get older, I see more than bothersome children. I see the future of our people. I see the spiritual leaders of our nations. I see future doctors and lawyers and teachers and mothers and fathers. What better way to bring them into the world than as examples of a faith in God the Creator who is unmovable and unchangeable. Their actions speak louder than words. What I saw tonight told me that our children are listening. But they are doing one more thing. They are seeing our actions and judging in their hearts whether they are right or wrong. So as they see us, they start to act and do and say. Solomon wrote, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right." The actions I saw tonight told me that they are following a good path. After church was over I went to two of the young boys, about seven and ten and said, "Would you guys like to start drumming with us next week?" They did not have to say a word, their eyes said it all.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church