Wess Stafford - Just a Minute: In the Heart of a Child, One Moment ... Can Last Forever

Over the years that Wess Stafford and I have become good friends and ministry partners, one thing has become crystal clear: Wesss unbridled devotion to children, especially those in deep poverty, knows no boundaries. Thats why Just A Minute is so pivotal. It will remind you who it was that launched your lifeand who deserves your thanks. And more importantly, it issues an impassioned plea to make just a minute differences in the lives of the children all around you. I know of no better man to proclaim that today right now is your moment to change a life forever.

M ICHAEL W. S MITH
Singer/Songwriter

My dear friend, whom I lovingly call Uncle Wess has written a treasure of a book called Just A Minute. Full of incredibly moving stories, Wesss writing inspires us all to realize that every interaction with a child has the power to change his or her destiny. Wesss integrity, compassion, and love for Jesus has had a profound impact on my life. One cannot encounter him in person or in writing and not be changed. Prepare to be encouraged and moved!

R EBECCA S T. J AMES
Singer, writer, and actress

Knowing how in tune Wess is with children, it doesnt surprise me that Just A Minute came straight from his heart and his experience. Wess has always been a champion for children, and in Just A Minute he makes us champions as well. Whether it is a special encounter or a lifelong commitment to child development, Just A Minute helps us all shape kids who will create healthier families, communities, and countriesnot to mention finding their own special place in the world.

D R. G ARY C HAPMAN
Author of the #1 New York Times bestselling book
The 5 Love Languages

Jesus called children my little ones, and gave a stern warning to anyone who would cause a child to stumble. This book is a challenge for every follower of Jesus to take notice of the little ones in our midst, and to show them we love them because He first loved us.

B OB L EPINE
Cohost, FamilyLife Today

Every kid needs at least one person who is crazy about them. As an internationally recognized child advocate, Wess Stafford has given his life to helping children all over the world break free from poverty, in Jesus name. In this fascinating read, Just A Minute, Stafford takes us on an incredible journey into the divine appointments and life-giving opportunities that God gives us every day. Enter its pages and youll be forever changed!

D R. T IM C LINTON
President, American Association of Christian Counselors

Any of us who has ever pursued a career path, a life direction or a dream that seemed beyond the realm of possibility knows what a difference every word of encouragement made along the way. Wesss book reminds us that in the busyness of all of our lives we cannot forget the potential for each interaction we have with a child, whether it be our own children, a relative, a neighbor, or a complete stranger. Because of Compassion International, Wess Stafford is in a unique position of offering life and hope to children born in hopelessness. Whatever Wess Stafford has to say, I am ready to listen.

A MY G RANT
Singer, songwriter, and advocate for children

In the Heart of a Child, One Moment Can Last Forever

JUST A
MINUTE

W ESS S TAFFORD

President and CEO, Compassion International

WITH DEAN MERRILL

M OODY P UBLISHERS
CHICAGO

2012
C OMPASSION I NTERNATIONAL , I NC.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Edited by Elizabeth Cody Newenhuyse
Interior design: Smartt Guys design
Cover design: John Hamilton Design
Cover image: iStockPhoto, Photodisc, and courtesy of Compassion International

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Stafford, Wess.

Just a minute : in the heart of a child, one moment-- can last forever / Wess Stafford with Dean Merrill.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8024-0472-5
1. CaringReligious aspectsChristianity. 2. Child careReligious aspects, Christianity. 3. Church work with children. 4. Christian education of children. 5. Child psychology. 6. Children and adults.
I. Merrill, Dean. II. Title.
BV4647.S9.S73 2012
259.22dc23

2011036920

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Printed in the United States of America

To the very next child
God brings across your path
if only for just a minute.

Introduction

THE POWER OF A MINUTE

Theres always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.Graham Greene

I never intended to write this book. I didnt go looking for itit found me. Let me explain. My first book, Too Small to Ignore, was 266 pages long. But just three of those pages (912) form the genesis of this book, Just a Minute.

In the six years since the first book appeared, Ive traveled across the world speaking, as always, about the value of children. It has often required me to tell my story of both joy and agony while growing up in West Africa. Ive noticed that whenever I start talking about how tender and impressionable the heart of a child is, the auditorium goes eerily quiet. The metaphor of a childs spirit being a lot like wet cement or moist clay, just waiting for an act of kindness, a hug, or a well-timed word of encouragement, seems to bring a flood of memory to many listeners. I can see that momentarily I have lost them. Their eyes turn pensive, their gaze wanders somewhere beyond me, and they are children again, lost in their thoughts remembering.

I sometimes ask the audience directly, So who was it? What did they say to you? What did they do? Who believed in you before you believed in yourself? Eyes well up with tears, and audible sobs have broken out. Once in Holland, I had to stop and comfort my translator, who broke down in the middle of our message.

I have become convinced that if God stands a child before you, for even just a minute, it is a divine appointment