Gò0dNews for Kids
Obeying God
H
by Calia Russell
ave you ever avoided a situation due to the opinions
along. I had an immediate change in mood. I knew it didn’t
of others? This can be a good or bad thing. Most of
feel right, but I continued. My mom noticed and mouthed,
us carry a trait to stay away from things we know
“I’m gonna get you.” If you don’t know what that means, it
are wrong. Personally, I like to stay within the boundaries of good, but most of the time, my flesh and spirit fight. I have a
means I’m going to get in serious trouble. After she said that, we went to children’s church. We did
story I’d like to share with you so you can better understand
our normal service, but at the end, we prayed. Out of fear, I
why I believe this so strongly.
asked to pray. I prayed that I wouldn’t get a spanking. My
My church, Eleven 22, is where the story begins.
niece took advantage of this and told my mom everything
We started going there on March 10, 2019. I had a great
to get on her better side. Thankfully she did, or I wouldn’t
relationship with the Lord, but I always felt something was
have learned this lesson. She gave me a long talk explaining
missing. Now that I’m older, I know what that is, but that
that it wasn’t about anyone else: just me and God. I didn’t
will come later. Our church has an amazing choir. My mom
completely understand what that meant, but when she
is in that choir. Back then, I thought she
finished, I didn’t get in serious trouble.
bugged me to clap my hands for the entertainment of the church. I had put further thought into this, and
The following Sunday, I had to go to the front again. This time, I listened to the better suggestion and praised. And after that, not once did I think about
it seemed like my mind had two
anyone else but the Lord. I felt closer to Him than I
sides. One was that you can just
ever had before. I felt the need to cry. But my flesh
praise the Lord and clap. Another
took over, and I didn’t. Writing this now brings
side was ignorantly thinking, “Don’t clap; just stare.” And of course, that Wednesday, that’s exactly what I did. At church, before praise and worship, our worship leader said, “Everyone, please come to the front.” Back then, I used to value the opinions of others, and this was one of those situations when my flesh and
pain to the things I’ve missed because of that. But without it, I might have made the mistake later in life, so I’m thankful. To conclude, never let your flesh take over your relationship with the Lord, like I did, because it feels amazing to be connected with everlasting love unlike anyone else’s. He will always be there for you in your toughest times; no matter how
spirit were having a debate.
much hatred you put toward
My friend Ma’Ryah and
Him, He still loves you. Talk to
my mom encouraged me
Him, read His Word, and feel
to come to the front. We
the love and strength He puts
started praise and worship.
over your life.
And of course, being a my plan not to praise for the first song, but then the second song came
8 // July 2020
About The Author
child, I had forgotten about Calia Russell is a fifth-grader at Black Fox Elementary. She attends Eleven22 Church. She loves to write and sing.
