Children

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.Matthew 19:14-15

I always have a passion for the little children. My heart is always broken by orphans. On this trip, I spent more time talking to the mothers. I asked how many children they had living and how many had died. I was broken hearted to hear that most of the women had lost multiple children-either during childbirth or to disease early in their life. These women love their children as much as we love our children. They hurt just as much as we do with the loss of a child. I cannot help but feel some guilt when I think of all we have back home and how much of this could be prevented by simple childhood immunizations and basic health care. I once heard an African pastor read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, but each time he got to a body part he substituted a country-USA, Sudan, Kenya, England, and Cameroon etc. You get the point. Are we really functioning like the body of Christ? How can we have so much and not share with those who have so little?

Why does Christ say that the kingdom belongs to little children? Their innocence, their unquestioning faith, their absolute trust in Him, their simplicity? The children were not afraid of Jesus. Are we afraid to really let our guard down and just be our true self with Him? He was never too busy to stop for the least of His world. I can see Jesus playing and laughing with the children. Jesus reached out and touched them. Should we do less?

Michael McMahon

"Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again, every time a child is born." - George Bernard Shaw

Prayer Power

Pray for the children and those called by God to bring health care to them. Pray for all the families who have lost so many children.