Looking Back Over Jesus’ Life

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16

In reflecting recently about people who have helped me grow in my faith, I’ve fallen into the trap of the early disciples by only listing to adults. That, of course, is not the case. I can close my eyes right now and picture scores of children (children in our church, children in my family, children here at Cedarkirk, children in Honduras, etc) who have shown me the wonderful innocence and humility that is so crucial for those of us who wish to faithfully follow God.

In my mind’s eye, I also picture the shirt worn by a high school age young person years ago at a Montreat Youth Conference. The image on the back of the T-shirt was of two small children, one white and one black, with their arms around each other in a great friendly hug. The message under the photo read: Nobody Was Ever Born A Bigot.

Let the little children be our inspiration, for “to such as these belongs the kingdom of God.”

Prayer

God, thank You for putting children in my path today, with their smiles, and their love for You and others. Help me to be inspired by them as I follow Jesus. Amen.