Let the Little Children...

Mark 10:13-16  People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."   And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. My mind is spinning with the large amount of information I received from several different organizations that were represented at our church today during an "Urban Fair."  There were booths set up all around the Fellowship Hall with booklets, info on volunteer opportunities, mission statements, pictures, and people who work with these organizations or groups all over Dallas.  The need is so great, and not just here in Dallas but all over the world.  There was a guest preacher who shared about some of that need; he is the president and CEO of an international organization that helps bring justice to oppressed and abused people.  All of this information is overwhelming on the one hand and empowering on the other. One of the many times Jesus was teaching, some of the people brought some little kids over to where he was so that he could touch them.  Maybe they were children who had diseases that kept them from having interaction with other people because of the cleanliness laws.  Or maybe they were misbehaving all the time and their parents thought that they might benefit from a touch from someone who had displayed such power already (he had just cast a demon out of a boy).  Or maybe they just knew that Jesus was kind and loving and was a teacher who had authority to bless the people.  I don't know, but here came some folks with some little ones and the disciples tried to shoo them away.  And Jesus was mad about that!  In fact, he told all of those grown-ups that they were not getting close to the kingdom of God unless they became like the children.  Jesus drew near those whom others were trying to push away. He says,"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  There is a responsibility to "let" the children get close, and "not hinder" them.  We are called to help children know Jesus, approach Jesus, and be blessed by Jesus.  We are not to get in the way, or cause them to stumble, or send them in a different direction by either what we do or do not do.  There are countless ways I can do this at home with my own children, and there are just as many ways I (and we, as a family) can do this outside of our home. I live in such a protected, sheltered place-figuratively as well as literally.  I don’t go outside of this small area that is comfortable and regular and safe.  My kids don’t know what it’s like to live in a dangerous circumstance or what it’s like to go to bed really hungry or what it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night because it’s too cold to sleep.  They have what they need and we are a pretty normal family (no, really, I’m trying to be serious here). I am still processing all that I took in today.  I hope that God will help me to see the practical ways that our family can live out the love he himself extended to children in need.  He touches and blesses-how simple.