Free To Be Near

I heard her mom call to her.
I heard her tiny voice answer.
She was only over at the next register…looking at something.

Come back over here, please. Mommy needs to see you. You need to be near me.

The precious little three year old was carrying a plastic doll.
I saw more of the same hanging at our register, too.
The little girl obeyed, and proceeded to kneel down in front of the display.
They were on the very bottom shelf…perfect for little eyes for see…and little hands to find.

The line was long and I was glad because I could listen to her and watch her play.
She took other plastic dolls off the hook and lined them up on the shelf.
Now the doll she was carrying had friends.

You may look at the dolls…but we are not buying one!

I don’t think the little girl heard…or that it made a difference.
She knelt down with her legs out to either side of her…like so many young children do.
She talked and laughed and moved the dolls around effortlessly.
Her three-year-old voice was a joy to hear.

Her mom was behind me in line.
I turned to her and said what I had been thinking.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be like that? Just stop everything and play!
Her mom agreed and told me that she does this all the time…in her own little world.

I have to admit, I was a bit wistful.
How we need to protect children like her at all costs!
How we need to keep our little children…little children…instead of mini adults!

There is only a tiny window where they have the freedom to be young!
Our culture robs them of this vitally important time!

I urge you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
(Romans 16:17-19)

Wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

How can we protect our children so that the evil around them does not influence them?

Children are being exploited.
Madison Avenue lures and entices our children.
They build their advertising campaigns around children’s perceived preferences.
Or is it the other way around?
Are the children’s preferences dictated by what they see on Madison Avenue?

Children are being exploited.
The family hour, on network television, is non-existent.
Children are being bombarded with sexual images and innuendos.
They mimic behavior that is well beyond their years.
The TV, that has been allowed to do much of the babysitting, has done a horrific job.

Children are being exploited as we sit on the sidelines.
We can turn off the offensive programs.
We can oppose music and movies and books that undermine purity.
We can say NO!

Why is it acceptable to rob a child of this tiny window of childhood?
Why do we want them to grow up far beyond their years, before they are ready?
Why do we not cringe when little girls dress immodestly, all for the sake of fashion?

When did the children become the parents?
Woe to you, O land whose king is a child. (Ecclesiastes 10:16)
We will have to answer for so much.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves. (Luke 17:1-3)

I don’t know who the mother was that I saw today, but I admire her.
She gave her little girl freedom…with parameters.
She knows that it is difficult to wait in line when you are three.

Her little girl was not hurting anyone or damaging anything.
She allowed her little girl to occupy herself; allowed her to use her imagination.
She also knew when to step in.
No, we are not buying that doll. Put it back nicely.
Thank you, sweetheart. What a good girl you are!

Her little girl listened…didn’t whine…and put the dolls back.

Her three year old daughter was encouraged to be three!
Wearing sneakers that lit up; talking to plastic dolls, that undoubtedly talked back to her.
In a few years, she will not be able to do that!
Her mom will miss it.
I am sure she will embrace the next stage of her daughter’s growth with loving discipline.

God is a loving Father to His children.
He expects obedience, as any Good Father should.
He gives us freedom…while standing right beside us.
He wants us near Him.
He wants to hear all the words we want to say…and all the words we are unable to say.

If you listen carefully, you will hear Him.
Come back over here, please. Daddy wants to see you. You need to be near Me.

 

 

2 responses to “Free To Be Near”

1. What a loving personal device to share your heart.

   Reply

   • Thank you for your encouragement, Renee.
     I am delighted that the words blessed you.
     Gina

     Reply