Wednesday May 24 2017  FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE

How is it possible for our thoughts to go back in time and truly remember what it was like to be inside the mind of a five year old child?  When I am around our five year old grandson it is truly amazing to have a glimpse inside their private little world of thought.  Most five year olds still have that sense of innocence that permeates as they verbalize what flits through their mind.  And you never know what might come of out of their mouths.

I used to chuckle at all the things our older grandson would say when he was three, four, or five years old.  And of course I thought him quite brilliant (and still do at his ripe old age of nine).  The nine year old mind is a bit more organized and usually there is rhyme and reason as to what he says.  I don’t think the five year old thought processes have yet progressed to follow the protocol of a conversation (at least for our five year old grandson).  He actually reminds me of myself at that age.  I was an incessant talker and if I didn’t know what the topic of the conversation was I could certainly add a bit to it by coming up with a new topic.

But there is one thing I knew I loved to talk about when I was five years old and that was Jesus.  Five was an important age because that was when my Sunday school teacher gave me my first Bible  (a little New Testament).   And oh how I loved my Bible!  I could not go to church without it though I could not yet read it.  Sunday school was very important to me and Vacation Bible School was like a bit of heaven.  By the time I was seven years old I could walk to all the local churches in our little town of 3,000 people and I attended every VBS I could during the summer months, usually two, and on a good year, perhaps three.  

Back to my grandsons, because of them I have a bit clearer memory of what it was like for me when I was their age.  I loved my Sunday school teacher because she gave me my Bible, and secondly because she taught me about Jesus.  I so loved Jesus with total childlike faith.  There were no barriers.  Jesus was so very real to me.  He became my friend and I would talk to him as I went to sleep each night.

Last night my daughter-in-law texted a quote Xander said earlier in the day.  He gave me the highest compliment I have ever received. 

Over the years I have read stories to the boys and many of them were, and still are, Bible stories and Bible scriptures.  We talk about the stories, look at the pictures, and I answer questions and explain the reality of God’s Word in a language geared to their age level. 

From a very early age Xander has taken an interest in the stories from the Bible.  When asked to choose whatever story he wanted me to read he goes to his Bible and asks for a story from his illustrated children’s Bible.  Our conversations are often about what stories are true and what stories are make-believe.  Jesus is a big topic of our conversations.  Zach is now old enough to read and has found an exciting life through the pages of fiction written to capture the minds of nine year olds.  He’ll listen to a couple of stories I read and then delves into books he brings from home.  It makes me realize what a short window of time we have with the young minds of today; and how very important it is to instill the love and knowledge of the Lord into young hearts. 

As a parent we have the responsibility to teach our children in the way of the Lord: it is our legacy to our grandchildren.  Last evening I had a glimpse into the legacy I hope to leave behind for future generations. 

Last evening Amy and I texted off and on over a period of time. I read one last text before closing up shop for the night.  She explained a bit about their day and shared a conversation that had taken place when she took Xander to the dentist earlier in the day.  Here is her text quote:

“Took the kiddos to the dentist today and Xander told the hygienist all about his field trip to Sassy Farm today, how he saw cows ‘hugging’ each other, had ice cream, etc.  Then he goes on to tell this nice lady, “My grandma knows a lot about Jesus.”  We both cracked up.  It was the sweetest thing”.

My eyes watered as I read those words.  It gave me a little insight into what, and about whom, he is thinking.  He has already given his heart to the Lord but it makes my heart smile to know that the things we talk about when he visits has made an impression on him.  Like I said before, it was the best compliment I have ever received.

 

Matthew 19:13-15

¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

 

Matthew 18:2-5

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. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

 

Luke 19:21

²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

 

YOU NEED NOT BE OLD OR WISE

Kathleen Martens

May 24, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

 

Oh but for the faith

Of a precious little child

Accepting with sincerity

Into a heart pure and mild.

 

Receiving in humble thought

And understanding without years.

Accepting Jesus into their heart

Without guile; without fear.

 

The sound of Jesus whispering

Into the hearts of little ones

Are the mysteries of the heavens

Revealed by God’s true Son.

 

And it pleases the Father

To hide from the learned and wise,

For the lowly position of the child

Is a reason Jesus died.

 

Simply to believe and receive

That which heaven pours forth.

It was also given for the young

Who have value and great worth.

 

He calls the little children, “Come”

That you may enter into My gates.

You need not be old or wise

Before you know your fate.

 

 

Thank You God for little boys.

Thank You God for the sincerity of child-like faith.

Thank You Father that it pleases you to reveal Yourself to little children.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!