This past Tuesday, we enjoyed yet another Christmas program put on by the students of First Baptist Christian School. How great it is to hear kids sing out with all their hearts to the Lord. Children are such a blessing! I wonder how many of us adults seek to bless them?
Some years back, I read Andrew Bonar’s biographical work on Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a godly Scottish pastor who died at age 29, having been beset by various illnesses throughout his short life (1813-1843). Yet M’Cheyne’s love for the Lord and for people was so intense, that he made more of an impact on his generation in his 29 years than most people do in a lifetime — or even twenty-nine lifetimes!
In reflecting on some of M’Cheyne’s most endearing qualities, Andrew Bonar recalled how his dear friend’s “heart felt for the young.” He found considerable joy in teaching children and had a knack for getting down on their level to communicate to them biblical truth. Citing one particular case that came to mind, Bonar wrote, “Ever watchful for opportunities, on the blank leaf of a book which he had sent to a little boy in his congregation, he wrote these simple lines:
Peace be to thee, gentle boy!
Many years of health and joy!
Love Your Bible more than play,
Grow in wisdom every day.
Like the lark on hovering wing,
Early rise, and mount and sing;
Like the dove that found no rest
Till it flew to Noah’s breast,
Rest not in this world of sin,
Till the Savior take thee in.
Most of us can’t write clever little rhymes such as this, but we can follow M’Cheyne’s example in ministering to children — first to our own and then other children as God gives us opportunity. This is especially important this Christmas season, as commercialism can so easily crowd out Christ from our affections. As we go about our busy lives this week, let’s do what we can to be a blessing to children, remembering the love that God has for them.
Along with the likely wardrobe additions(like shiny nose prints and spaghetti stains), children leave us with many blessings. Children don’t worry about where their next meal will come from; they know food will be there. They don’t worry about having a job or paying for heat; they have no doubt that those basic needs will be met. When they are sad, they cry or look for comfort. When they are angry, even with a parent, they “express” that anger instead of pretending that it isn’t there… even their prayers are simple and honest. There is no question in their minds that God wants to hear them… when do we outgrow that?
At the end of the day, wouldn’t it be lovely to know that you were a step closer to that innocence and that you protected that innocence by taking the time to listen to and love a child?