Let the children come...

Let the children come...

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 Matthew 19:15

I have a sign in my office that says, "Miracles come in moments, be ready & willing." It was one of those times, a morning like any other but with a lesson and blessing just around the corner.  I sat at our table having breakfast with my daughter and son while we did our morning devotion. I usually just read the title of the devotion, but today I felt prompted to ask it in a question.  “What is God’s free gift to us?”  To my amazement, my two-year-old son answered, “Jesus!”  We went on to read Romans 6:23 and about the Good News.  This led us back to a discussion we had a couple of days prior on what the  “Good News” is from a song that talks about “putting on the shoes to go and share the Good News.” The devotion explained,

“Jesus was perfect, the son of God who never, ever sinned (1 Peter 1:21-22).  He chose to die and take all the punishment of sin.  And He offers you this salvation as a free gift …all you have to do is ask.  This is truly Good News!” (Rogers, 2020, p.68)

My son responded, “...and then I get the shoes?!”  I again felt a prompting, this time to ask my son if he wanted to ask Jesus for His free gift of life.  The alarms of nerves went off in my head.  Is he too young? What do I say? I haven’t done this before, this is a big moment, and I don’t want to mess it up.  Praise God, He pushed the doubts away and led me to consider the evidence in the 20 seconds I had.

1. My son asked for his own Bible and was beyond excited when we gave him one.  Even asking to have it in the crib with him for quiet time.

2. He asks us to help him pray for people and consistently (and a bit aggressively!) reminds us to.

3. He understands that if he receives Jesus, he is then charged to “put on the shoes” and spread the Good News.

4. I had asked him how Bible study was the day before and he replied, “I know God! I know Jesus!”

What reason did I have for not asking my son if he wanted to ask Jesus to be King of his heart? The only reasons I could come up with were my own doubts and overcomplication with what it means to follow and know Jesus.  And then the invitation was brought to my mind… “let the children come…”  Ok, Lord, here I go.  I asked my son if he wanted to ask Jesus and his answer was “Yes.”  At the table, I led my two-year-old son in a prayer of surrendering his heart to Jesus.  I honestly don’t even remember what I said, but I felt the Lord’s presence and guidance and I heard my son repeating every word.  We had just experienced a moment of eternal greatness.

The story doesn’t stop there though, because God knows me just as much as He knows my children.  He knows I have a hard time believing just how much He can use me and just how much His Word is true.  Because I needed His reassurance, He sent my sweet neighbor to the bus stop that morning (she usually never comes out).  After the kids got on the bus, I was able to share what had happened.  Her response: “I’m reading a book on being a missionary to your neighbors.  I just read how you will learn when people are ripe to ask.  Your son was ripe.”  And just like that, my heart was settled.  God used me for my son and my neighbor for me.

God taught me many things that morning.

1. My son's salvation did not rest on me or my ability to say the right words but on multiple acts of obedience by many people all orchestrated by a God who saves.

2. God is not limited by age or ability.  My son is two-years-old.  My daughter was delayed in speech but understood everything.  At the point where she started talking more, the depth of insight that came out of her was astounding.  So much so it caused me to ask if she had asked Jesus to be in her heart.  Her answer was, “Yep.” So simple.  We didn’t know what was going on in her head or heart, but He did and He met her right where she was. 

3. Be ready and be willing…miracles come in moments.

May you be encouraged today that God is orchestrating plans beyond your understanding and comprehension.  That, however old or limited you believe your abilities to be, God sees, loves, and wants to redeem you.  And that you, even (and especially) you, can be used for mighty works in His kingdom.

Citations

Rogers, A.L.(2020). Dive In! Devotions for Kids. Barbour Publishing, Inc.

With whatever encouragement you have received, please share it with someone else today!

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:13