Wednesday, March 21, 2018 

“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.” (Mark 10:13, NLT)

                Absolute bliss, as far as I am concerned, is holding your five-day old grandson while he sleeps away in your arms. Man, but that feels good!

                We drove to Kitchener to see Declan and his mom and dad on Monday. We picked up Susan’s mother and father on the way so they, too, could see and hold their newest great grandson. We had a marvelous afternoon passing the little tyke among us. He never seemed to mind or protest. We had supper together before we left.

                What joy, what a blessing. We are now four times blessed, in fact. Babies, especially, remind us  that the future can be bright, full of possibility and hope. Their love, joy, laughter, and trust can heal even the most weary and glum person, if given a decent chance.

                I remember, once, when Nicholas and Katie were very small, we went to visit my seriously ill father (heart failure) who was in an intensive care unit in a Kingston hospital. He was all tubed up and looked like hell and probably felt worse. We were all waiting in a waiting area before they were to allow us to go in and see him. One cranky nurse, in her best imitation of disciple-like fashion,  made it clear in no uncertain terms that the children wouldn’t be allowed or welcomed into their grandpa’s room and should be kept quiet. It complicated things but we thought we had no choice but to comply.

                Not long after, another nurse came along and saw us waiting. In fact, I think she may have come out on purpose to find us once she was told that we were there. She was warm and friendly. Then she told us that she had a couple of chores to do and wouldn’t be back into Dad’s room for a bit. What she didn’t know or see wouldn’t matter to her. We quickly scrambled and snuck the children in to see their grandpa. Even in his very sick condition he was thrilled to see the children.  We didn’t stay long, of course, but I don’t think it was a coincidence that Dad began to rally after that visit. He began to get better and eventually made it back home.

                Jesus seems to have an affinity and affection for children. Of course, in his times as it is, sad to say, in our own times, children were among the most vulnerable and powerless within their culture; susceptible to poverty, war, cruelty, abuse, violence, diseases and hard times.  Jesus, at least, seems to have been raised in a close, loving, healthy, welcoming family environment. We believe he had several younger brothers and sisters and so grew up having children around him.

                There is a Gospel story of Jesus inviting a child from the listening crowd to come forward.  Mark tells us that he put his arms around the child and said to the people, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (Mark 9: 37)

                 Our children are precious in God’s eyes and therefore we need to love, cherish, nurture, and be blessing to them just as they are a blessing to us.  They need to be encouraged, taught, mentored, comforted when they mess up, and led to know the differences between right and wrong.  I would add that they need to be introduced, at the very least, to Jesus and have an opportunity to decide whether or not to follow him.

                “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

                Hug your children, or your grand-children, or your nieces or your nephews. Love them.  

Dale