“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” (Matthew 10:13-16 NKJV)
Children often get off to a great start in life, attending churches that welcome them and provide learning opportunities that become the foundation of their faith in God. Let me inject that Jesus shows us that individuals, at any age, must come to Him with child-like faith. Now, back to the little ones. While some people in a congregation see babies and toddlers as sources of noise and never-ending distractions, that was not the case with Jesus. I’m glad to say that is not the case at my church either. Jesus blessed the children, and we should look to bless them too when they come to church. Furthermore, we should embrace the presence of children and in no way hinder them when they come to church. This is where they start, but if we maintain an environment that welcomes children, and if we keep encouraging them, we are investing in the future of the church and the perpetuation of the kingdom of God. As a side note, even when they get old enough to drive or work part-time jobs, keep them coming to church. Let the children come.
I did not mean to come across as a lecturer. That was really not my intent when I chose this topic. I chose it because children were the source of encouragement for me this week. And sometimes, all laborers in the kingdom, regardless of how they use their gifts or the role they play in the church, they can be encouraged by children. Laborers can also be reminded of that fire that was ablaze in their souls when they first came to serve the Lord. Let the children come!
This week I was encouraged by the two year old that told his mother on Saturday, “I have to go to Sunday School!” I was further encouraged by another child, also two years old, who told his grandmother, “I have to go to church.” The grandmother laughed as the toddler sounded out the words and “church” came out as “shurch.” That was cute, but more so, encouraging to hear. Let the children come.
I saved the best to last. A five-year old came up to me between Sunday School and Worship Service Sunday. She gave me a brown 8 1/2 x 11 envelope, held shut by a clasp. With a smile I said, “Thanks! She did not move. Her look was saying, “You are not getting away with a simple “Thanks,” I worked hard on the content in the envelope. She took the envelope back and showed me how to open it and then she closed it back up. Then she said, “Now you open it.” Did this little one know the Oriental saying, “To do is to learn?” Following instructions, I opened the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of paper that was colored on both sides. There were two drawings of a little stick figure giving a larger stick figure a hug. Actually, this child makes sure to do that at the start of service and before she goes home; hug her pastor. So she was, for all intents and purposes, writing a book. There was a picture of a little girl’s hands with hearts on her finger tips. One of the figure’s faces looked just like me. There were pretty trees filled with green leaves. There were flowers and more. There were hearts with facial characteristics. It was like a mini-book for sure, and not just a picture book. She wrote in red crayon, all caps her main message, “I LOVE YOU PASTOR KING.” I thanked her and she went quickly to the sanctuary where she sits week after week with her grandmother. Know that I am going to keep her two-page book, perhaps even frame it, because as I looked at it again Monday morning, her book was just what the doctor ordered. This preacher needed some encouragement after some long hours over the last few weeks and this five-year old’s gift was just what I needed. I felt so much better Monday morning, especially after the emptying of the word within me on Sunday. Let the children come.
Two last thoughts just came to mind. That make this meditation more than a story and more than the fulfillment of the saying on one of my tee shirts, which says, “Be careful what you say or do, because I will write about it.” The two thoughts, meaningful thoughts: First, since we are all children of God, let us find someone to encourage today. They just might need it! Try it, okay? Second, even though it is just Tuesday, mark on your week-at–a- glance calendar, in the Sunday box, the word, “Shurch!” Have a great Tuesday! Be blessed!
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:10 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King