(GW) Some people brought infants to Jesus to have him hold them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people not to do that. But Jesus called the infants to him and said, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me! Children like these are part of the kingdom of God.”
I have been blessed this past week to have spent a delightful time with a good friend of mine’s nieces. They were such a joy and delight to be around all week. I came away with a great appreciation for parents and a deep regret for not being one myself. I can echo the words of the psalmist when he states:“Don’t you see that children are GOD’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?” Psalm 127:3
What a privilege parents have been given to be endowed with such an honor. Children are indeed a heritage to treasure and a resource to be valued. Whom is it that can look upon the face of a child and not see the hand of God? The week I got to spend with these lovely blessings from God had a great impact upon my life.
Not being a parent it is hard to understand the love a father has for a child but being entrusted with the safety of another’s child was very humbling to say the least. Parents have set certain standards for their households and their own children so when I was given the responsibility of caring for these children as a surrogate, I was awestruck with the enormity of the task. To think that these parents trusted me enough to be a watchman over these precious souls.
What should you allow and not allow? When is bed time? What do you serve for meals? What allergies do these children have? Are they afraid of anything? What level of responsibility should one allow them to assume? Are they permitted to make their own purchases at the store? Candy free zone? What personality types are we dealing with? What bad habits do they have? What do you do when one of them gets sick? My mind was numb with questions. There was no instruction manual to read and no internet course I could study to become a caretaker. I had to rely on my instincts and my own experiences as a child growing up.
Being raised in a dysfunctional household did not lend itself well as a model for good parenting skills. Therefore I could not rely on my own experiences I had to look for a different model. An example of fatherhood that is reliable and trustworthy.
Jesus loved the little children as the child’s song goes. He rebuked his disciples for trying to keep the children away from Him. What Jesus wanted the people to know is how much the Father love’s His children. How deep is His love toward us that we would be called the children of God.
Being an emotional orphan I can identify with not being wanted and being pushed aside. I can feel the pain of rejection on a child’s face when a parent does not have time for them. I know first hand the hurt that lingers deep in a child’s heart every time a mean and negative word is spoken. The devastation caused by the feeling of not being wanted can last a lifetime.
Turning the children away was not what God was about. He was about trying to reconcile all of His children to himself and that includes the new born as well as the aged. We are all God’s children and He longs to pick us up in His arms and bless us.
You can not bless a child and not come away blessed yourself. There is no way you can love too much on a child. There are no limits to that love.
Ro 8:38 (GW) I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us. We can’t be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation.
While those children where in my care there was nothing in this world or the world to come that would have prevented me from doing whatever I had to do to make sure those children were well cared for. My eyes and ears where open for anything that could cause them harm. My spiritual radar was honed to engage all my surroundings to make sure they were kid safe. Nothing unwholesome or evil was permitted to come near them. I would have laid down my own life to protect those children. And I am not even their father.
How much more do you suppose God looks out for His own? To see the lengths that God went to suffer His children to come home. To see how well Jesus handled His assignment of going to get God’s children. How well He cared for us and He (Jesus) was not even our Father.
These were not my children but for the week they had become my responsibility. And I am the better for it. I hope the love of God through Jesus Christ was shed abroad in their hearts; for surely the love of the Father was beating in mine.
Moms and dads let the little children to come unto Jesus for in Him they shall be saved from the world.
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:12 (NKJV)
Jesus makes a great surrogate for He was able to keep all God entrusted to Him.
The children are back home safe and sound and I am relieved that all went well for which I thank God! But until we all are safe in the arms of Jesus there is still much work to do.
Sphere: Related Content
