Times of Trouble
This month, in whole school Gospel Assembly, children will hear the real-life story of Ava and learn to look to God and responsible adults for support in times of trouble. You might like to read and discuss it with your child:
‘Ava was 10. She had just started a new school, again. It felt like her family were always moving. She had hoped to make lots of new friends, but that hadn’t quite worked out. Each day Ava hoped she might make a friend. At night she prayed to God, asking Him to help her.
The next day, as she went on her own to the toilets at morning break, a tear trickled down her face. She was feeling very lonely.
As she left the toilets her class teacher walked by. ‘Could I mention how I feel to Mrs Brown?’ she wondered.
Mrs Brown was firm but kind and had a warm smile. ‘But what’s the point?’ thought Ava, ‘She can’t spend her breaks with me!’
As Mrs Brown walked towards Ava, she looked up, caught Ava’s eye and smiled at her. ‘Now or never,’ thought Ava, “Mrs Brown, um, could I speak to you about, er, something?” she said.
“Of course,” said Mrs Brown.
Mrs Brown sat down in the library with Ava and listened carefully. And then, out it all tumbled.
How Ava was feeling lonely and hadn’t made friends yet. How Mum was super busy with her younger brother and sister, and so she hadn’t had time to talk to Mum about things at school.
After she had finished, Mrs Brown said, “Leave this with me. Don’t worry.”
After PE, Mrs Brown asked Ava to tidy up some of the PE equipment. Some other children had been asked to help too, and they came over to chat to Ava. They asked if she would like to sit with them at lunch.
Ava looked over at Mrs Brown. Mrs Brown looked back at her and smiled.
‘Mrs Brown must have asked them to talk to me,’ Ava thought, ‘but that doesn’t matter! Maybe, just maybe, this is the offer of friendship I need?’
“Yes please!” she said, smiling. And off they went to lunch.’
“Don’t be Frightened”
Luke 21:9
Children will learn in this assembly that people can have many different troubles. Some troubles might feel small and just affect us, like with Ava feeling lonely. But people around the world can have big troubles too, like not having enough of what they need, or being caught up in earthquakes and famines, or experiencing religious persecution where their lives are made difficult because of their faith in God.
No matter how big or small the trouble, Jesus said, “don’t be frightened”, and children learned that they can turn to family, teachers, priests and even God Himself for help! We can also offer our support to one another, and to our brothers and sisters around the world.
Aid to the Church in Need is a Catholic charity that helps Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. They have a special day each year called Red Wednesday when supporters wear red and light up buildings in red to remind people to pray. This year, Red Wednesday falls on 27th November - perhaps your child might like to wear a red hat or scarf to school that day as a reminder to pray!
