Apr
8
2022
The Innocence Of Children
Posted in Discipleship 4 Comments
Life as an adult can be so hard.
We know too much.
We see too much.
We hear too much.
Life as a child should be so much simpler.
It should be carefree.
It should be filled with beautiful things.
It should be filled with wonder.
When we are entrusted with children, it is our job to care for them.
It is our job to protect their innocence.
It is our job to teach them what is good, and right, and pure, and true.
It is our job to push back the darkness for as long as we can.
Sometimes that feels like a Herculean task.
Sometimes it feels like we take two steps up and four steps back.
But we press on.
We must press on.
My oldest granddaughter goes to preschool.
Coming home in the car with her mommy, she talked about seeing a short video.
It was about Zacchaeus, the little man who climbed up a tree to see Jesus.
My daughter sent me a text of the conversation.
We watched a movie about Jesus and Zacchaeus when we had snack today and Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus and there was a whole line of people and I kept looking at the people and I saw someone smiling in the line and I kept watching and I knew that was Jesus.
I’m so glad you found Jesus in the line! How did you know Jesus would be the one smiling?
He was smiling because he was good.
My sweet, almost four-year-old granddaughter was able to pick Jesus out from the crowd.
Even in a short video during snack time, Jesus was known.
Jesus stood out from the rest of the people in the crowd.
Jesus was smiling because He was good.
Two of my daughter’s three children were born during the pandemic.
Those two precious little ones were dedicated at church this past weekend.
We all were there to witness the promises made by their parents to raise them in the Lord.
It was a joy filled day.
In his sermon, the pastor said, “The world is a bad place” referring to sin in the world.
My oldest granddaughter heard him say those words.
She responded, quite loudly, “No it isn’t!”
We all smiled at each other and at her when we heard her innocent response.
My daughter and son-in-love teach her about Jesus.
They read God’s Word together; they talk about sin in the world and sin in our own hearts.
My daughter was thankful that this is how her daughter sees the world.
She should see the world as a happy place at her age, my daughter said.
Too many things destroy the innocence of children.
Too many things make this world a dark, dangerous place.
Too many things cause children to grow up way too soon.
Childhood is seen as something to get through rather than to savor and cherish.
When innocence is taken from children, they don’t see the world in the same way anymore.
The world is dark and filled with shadows.
There is not enough beauty around them to push back the darkness.
As adults, we must be a shield to push back the darkness.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (Matthew 18:1-6)
Jesus said that the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is a child.
Jesus said that we stuffy adults need to become like little children if we want to enter heaven.
To be like a child is to be innocent and trusting.
Causing a child to sin is a death sentence for the perpetrator.
Children mean so much to our Savior.
Children are great in the eyes of Jesus.
Their little eyes see Him as good and recognize His smile.
Their little hearts see the world as a good place.
Let’s protect the innocence of children for as long as we can.
Let’s protect their innocence in our care about what surrounds them every day.
Let’s protect what they see and what they hear.
Let’s fill their minds with beauty.
A child is great in the kingdom of heaven.
These words of Jesus must be taken very seriously.
How are we doing as a culture?
How are we doing in our own hearts?
Do we see a child as great?
Are we protecting their innocence?
Beautiful Gina…absolutely agree that we must be “a shield to push back the darkness”
Yes, Sherie, we all must do our part to protect the innocence of our children. It matters. They matter.
Gina
Oh Regina, this hits so close to home. My daily work IS this very scenario. Out of the mouths of babes comes such adult talk. My “moment of silence” after the Pledge, is a silent plea for Jesus’ protection of these little ones. It is a challenge to be sure. Thank YOU for your Whispers of the truth.
Cathy, we need more principles like you who pray for the sweet children in their care. Press on in your important work. It matters.
Regina