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"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me” (Matthew 18:5)
I am convinced that no amount of words or images can take the place of actually experiencing something. My two sisters used to talk about their children, and I used to listen without being able to relate. My older sister lives in Hong Kong, so I was able to watch her children grow. I guess she and her husband did something right because their three young ones have grown into polite, loveable, responsible young adults. For the most part, I enjoyed seeing them go from infants to children to teens to where they are now. And yet, when the emails went back and forth about this achievement or that naughty act, I found myself reading without understanding. After all, children are just children, right? And then I found a little one in my life, a boy who suddenly made me see things in a whole new light. Here was this adorable little monster for whom I would give up everything, just so he would grow up to be a good person. And this little creature who fills my days with joy has taught me something new almost every day. I used to see children skipping along on the pavement, and it would sometimes irritate me. Now, if I see that, I think of my own little one who doesn’t know how to walk: he dances and prances and skips along because he just loves life so much. And I realize that these other children who are skipping along are just being happy, and what a grumpy old man I must be for thinking that they are a nuisance. And now when the emails go back and forth, I can relate because they describe some of the very things that my own dear precious little monster gets up to. Homework? He’ll do it, after I chase him a thousand times. Sing? He’s in the church choir. Play? Boy, he loves to do that, just like any other child does. And when I watch him enjoying life, I am reminded time and time again just how lucky I am to have such a bundle of joy to brighten up me life. If you don’t have children, chances are that this might be nothing more than an interesting item to read. At least, I hope you find it interesting. Perhaps one day you’ll have your own little one to turn your world upside down. When that happens, you’ll understand what it is I’ve tried to write about here. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16) Published: May 7th, 2006 My Sunday Examiner Articles
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