The Touch Of A Child

I was two rows behind them.
We were all standing in church, singing in worship.
The words of the songs were on the screen in front.
It is good to worship the Lord together.

I have known the woman in front of me for many years.
Our daughters played sports together in high school.
She was sitting with her husband and two grandsons.
I know she has a lovely voice because I have heard her sing special music from time to time.

In front of her was a young man who is a father of five children.
I know his sweet wife well.
He only had three of his children with him this particular day.
I assumed that perhaps the younger ones were sick and his wife stayed home with them.

Our of the corner of my eye, I saw it.
The woman in front of me was holding the hand of the little girl in her father’s arms.
The woman was singing and gently moving the little girl’s arm to the music.
The little girl looked so peaceful, so content with her head on her daddy’s shoulder.

I smiled.
This is what the Church should be: the older generation helping the younger.
Loving on the little ones because Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me. (Matthew 19:14)
Reaching across to grab a hand and worship together.

I had a Grandma day with my little two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter.
We had such a special time.
She picked out an adorable dress, and got a paint book and a key chain that is a flashlight.
The key chain has princesses on it and she thinks it is the best thing in the world.

We went out to lunch and my oldest daughter joined us, which was a special treat.
She came home to Grandma’s house and took a nap in the big girl bed.
She got up, had a snack, and watched a short Little Bear episode.
By 4:15, it was time to drive her home.

Gathering our packages and things I needed to run an errand, we got to her house.
She told her mommy and daddy all that she did that day.
She wanted to wear her art shirt so she could paint a picture from her new paint book.
I had to get one thing out of my car to put in my daughter’s mini van.

When I brought this little sweetheart inside, her little 10-month-old brother crawled to me.
He stood himself up on my legs and reached his arms up for me to lift him.
I lifted him and he buried his head in my shoulder.
He pulled away and buried it again, looking up and touching my face.

Snuggles from this little man is the sweetest thing.
He buried his face in my shoulder and held on.
Are you giving Grandma snuggles? His mommy asked him.
That only made him do it more.

After running two errands, I finally got home.
I saw that my son-in-love had texted.
Do you happen to have Teddy? I read.
Teddy goes everywhere with my little granddaughter; she can’t sleep without him.

Since I was not receiving notifications as I drove, I never saw the message.
Now, as I was reading it, my son-in-love was calling me.
I had just opened the mini van door and saw Teddy had fallen next to the car seat.
I’m just reading your text; I checked and Teddy is here, I told him.

I’ll put the kids in the car and drive over, he said talking about his three children.
My daughter is on the board of our crisis pregnancy center and was at a meeting.
You will do no such thing! I’ll drive over to you.
I got back in the car with Teddy safely on the seat next to me.

Fifteen minutes later, I was pulling in their driveway.
By now the dusk was turning to evening.
I could see my two granddaughters in their foyer waiting at the front door for me.
As I walked towards the front door, I could hear their squealing.

Teddy! Teddy! My little granddaughter said over and over.
She looked up at me with the sweetest eyes, full of thankfulness.
It was worth the extra drive over to see such love.
The love of a child is the most precious thing.

A woman held the hand of a little girl and worshiped the Lord.
My grandson took hold of my legs and lifted his arms so I would pick him up.
He buried his face in my shoulder and loved on his Grandma ever so sweetly.
My granddaughter cheered with joy to see me bring her beloved Teddy home safely.

The touch of a child: their hand in yours, their snuggles, and their innocence.
It is something to be preserved.
It is something to be protected.
When God gives a gift, He wraps it up in a child. (Michael Card)

(Chorus)
Come to the cradle,
Come and find peace.
Alone in the cradle,
Simplicity sleeps.
Behold, perfect wisdom
So gentle and mild
In the innocent, upward
Trusting glance of a child.

Come hear the call
Of sweet sighs in the dark
Their touch is tender;
It touches your heart.
The bustle and business
Lasts year after year.
But this little baby
Won’t always be here.

(Chorus)

When God gives a gift,
He wraps it up in a child.
He made them,
Loves them
So wondrously wild.
And so you are chosen
And called out for prayer.
So come to the cradle,
He waits for you there.

(Chorus)

In the innocent, upward,
Trusting glance of a child.