Welcome the Little Children!

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt 19:24 NIV)

Disney World, Universal Studies, Epcot Center, SeaWorld, and Legoland are just a few of the wonderful family vacation spots in Florida. Children are welcome to vacation here! But, what about live in Florida?

Are children welcome to live in Florida? I am sure there are many of areas in Florida that they are. But, there are also multitudes of areas in Florida that they are not. Before moving to the east coast, I did not fathom that there would be so many 55+ communities. For the past few months I have been trying to help my son and family find a new home. It has not been easy to find an affordable one and even the mobile homes that are affordable all seem to be in 55+ communities. My husband and I actually live in a 55+ community; but, no one in my son's family is near our age!

This is not the first time I've run into discrimination against young people. Many congregations all around the country that I have known about also cater to us more elderly persons. If a child whines or moves wrong in church the parents get that look that tells them either take that child outside or to the cry room that they spent money to prepare for just such a purpose. Many congregations actually have Sunday School for the children during Worship or they have a separate Children's Church to segregate the children and the adults. What has happened to us being "all God's children?" 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus desires that the little children go to him. For some reason I thought that we were to follow in Jesus' footsteps. Discriminating against anyone for any reason, including age, just doesn't seem like a Jesus thing to do.

May all God's people open their hearts and minds, their homes and their congregations to the little children of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Let The Children Come

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:15-16 NIV

I vaguely remember a Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign whose ads include something to the effect of "No one stands taller than one who stoops to give a child a present." It pictured a Marine in his dress blues kneeling to give a little child a gift.

I work a lot. Sometimes, I forget to take time out to have fun. But, a few minutes with a child is usually fun. Hours with them can be more fun even if by the end of the hours I may feel exhausted. Very few things are better than being around a smiling, bubbly, bouncing, child. There is no way (unless they are totally undisciplined) that I can keep from smiling, myself, when I am around children. One never knows what they might do or say. They keep life interesting for us older folks.

The disciples tried to keep the children from being close to Jesus. But, Jesus warned them not to put anything in their way that might keep them from him. "Let the little children come," he said.

Let the little children come to you and share the stories of Jesus so that they will have a greater knowledge and an even closer relationship with Jesus.

Let the little children come into your life and may the light of Christ shine upon you through them.

God's Peace - Pr. J