The Little Ones

In the wake of the brutal and evil attack in Newtown, CT, the internet swirls with opinions about gun control, school safety, mental health, and the sovereignty of God. As a parent of a kindergartener at a public school, I have been imagining the events as if they happened to me and to my little Sydney. I was at Sydney’s school when the massacre took place. I see these precious children’s faces several times a week, and I just love them. My stomach churns, my gut aches, my spirit groans. Can we just stop and mourn with these families? I understand there are important topics that must be addressed and should be discussed, but can we not hurt and weep with these parents first? I am reminded of Jesus’ response when he arrived at Lazarus’ grave in John 11. He knew He was to raise Lazarus from the dead, but He was still deeply moved with those mourning and He wept. Those of us who are Christians understand that these children have hope in Christ, but we still weep at the temporary sting of death. Psalm 34:18 is an encouragement to us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” I have not parented a child for 6 years and then lost him, but I know the Lord has comforted my broken heart when I have been crushed, and He gives His children unfailing hope, unconditional peace and miraculous comfort. Please join me in continuing to pray for these families, as well as cherishing and honoring the children in our own lives. May we love and cherish all children from conception to the grave.

John Piper once wrote, “How we deal with children is a signal of our fellowship with God. Something is deeply amiss in the soul that does not descend (or is it really ascend?) to love and hold a child.” Our family devotions this month have been Advent-themed, and we have been talking about a different name of Jesus every night. We wrote them out on stars and have been putting one up each night above a manger cutout. I think about Immanuel, God with us, our greatest example. How did Jesus respond to children, and is our attitude towards them in line with his? Christ humbled Himself and came as an infant, He took children in His arms and blessed them (Mark 10:14-16), He healed a little girl (Matt. 15:28), cast a demon out of a little boy (Matt. 17:18), raised a little girl from the dead (Mark 5:41-42), and accepted a boy’s ordinary gift of loaves and fishes, then feeding a multitude with them (John 6:9-10). It’s clear in Scripture that Jesus loved children and children loved Him. The Bible encourages us to become like children (Matt. 18:3-4), and each day as I watch my children – I am humbled by this. They are so innocent, so energetic, so magical in their thinking. They are strong, they are full of life, they are curious. They trust unwaveringly, they forgive easily, they laugh and cry often. They enjoy their Creator and all that He has made for them. They find joy in the smallest of things and have eyes widened with wonder at the mysteries that surround them. All the while, they are acutely aware of their great neediness. My children know that they mess up A LOT. They know that they need someone to care for them. They are eager to learn, because they realize they don’t have all the answers. They feel the pain of others in a way I have forgotten. Is it any wonder we are called to be like these?

This morning, I was re-reading a blog entry called “10 Resolutions for Mental Health” that John Piper wrote to honor a teacher of his, and I think it is generally good advice for all of us. If you have time, please read it. So many of the resolutions encourage us to become like children once again. Mommies, put down your dishtowels today and stare at your children. Daddies, hide the remote control and wrestle with your kids. And if you don’t have children of your own, God has still placed children in your life for you to minister to and to learn from. Jesus never married or had children, but oh how he loved the little ones! Let us fiercely love the children in our lives, and let us fight for those who are unwanted and unloved. May we have a deeper appreciation and a greater love for our Savior this year, as we celebrate His first coming in the form of a child. Our family wishes you a very Merry CHRISTmas!