13Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that he could put his hands on them and pray for them. When his followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. 14But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children.” 15After Jesus put his hands on the children, he left there. Matthew 19:13-15
10I will call for my people like a lion calling for its young. My children will come and follow me. They will hurry to me from the west. 11They will come swiftly like birds from a captivity like Egypt was, and like doves from Assyria. I will settle them again in their homes,” says the Lord. Hosea 11:10-11
As a mother, it is impossible to read the Bible without the parental perspective. As my primary mission field has shifted from the vast world around me to the more intimate face to face, down on my knees teaching of my children, it has become even more important to understand God’s love and His grace.
I often think about the things I know I must teach my kids about God. The most important, of course is the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection, the payment of the penalty of sin and the redemption of mankind. A close second, is God’s desire for us to come to Him.
God didn’t create mankind without purpose. He created us because He greatly desires community and relationship. He wanted children, created in His own image, to love, care for, connect with forever. He desires to walk with every person side by side in the cool of the day. He wants everyone to feel free to come to Him in our joy, in our sorrow, in our weakness and desperation, in our strength, our humility, our anger, our hopelessness, our gratitude, our worship…He wants us to come whether or not we have something to offer. He wants us to come with our needs and with our wealth.
I think about my own children, despite the moments when they “fight” for their independence, my preschoolers need me. When they come to me, it gives me the opportunity to meet their physical needs and it also allows me to connect with them, to show them love, to show them another skill that they’ll need in life, to build them up. They come to me with simple faith, knowing that I’ll give them what they need.
Though I have my moments, I am a very good mother; God is an even better parent. When I approach Him with that same child-like faith that my children have when they come to me, God will take care of me. He will bless me. He will heal me. He will love me.
Yesappa, Thank You for always being there with Your arms wide open, waiting for me to come and jump into your embrace. Thank You for calling me to come to You. Help me to remember to turn to You first in all circumstances. Make my faith in You be like a little child’s. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings – Julie
International Children’s Bible, Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Sixty-six books in a year 