5 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Love all the little children

Remember that old children's song that we grew up to in church?..... "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world...." Well for this week's goal (the week of Thankgiving), I find myself being VERY thankful for all the kiddos in my life! I could be having a rough morning or dealing with some stress-filled personal issues... but oh boy... when I walk into a classroom and see those little precious faces eager to learn.. WOW! My heart just does a flip-flop! Or when a little boy is crying his heart out because his kitty got ran over that morning... I don't have time for my stress. That little boy needs a hug and I give that to him, while fighting back my own tears; or when I walk into a room full of family and friends that I love, the first face that I seek out is my little Chloe Bear's; or when a child let's a fart slip out in the middle of calendar time and even though I'm supposed to be professional, I simply can't help laughing out loud along with all the kiddos! ;) Or when I see previous students who run up to me and almost tackle me down to the ground with such a big hug! I LOVE children, and I'm not sure how I ever survived by not being around them all the time. It amazes me that I almost missed my calling in this life, but I am SO thankful that I didn't. One of these days, I'll be a mother to my own children, and I know I'll develop an even deeper love and connection to all the little ones in my life. =)

Jesus ESPECIALLY loved the little children! Here's why: In Matthew 18, His disciples asked, "Which of us is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Instead of answering right away, Jesus called a small child over to them (I like to picture Jesus picking the child up and cuddling him on his lap, like my dad used to do with me) and then He said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck."

WHOA!!! (Joey Lawrence style... Ha! ha!) Did you just read that? First of all... Jesus said that unless we turn from our sins and become humble as little children, that we will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Secondly... He says that anyone who welcomes a little child is welcoming Him. Wow! And lastly... wow... it shows our Savior speaking very passionately in regards to one of us causing a child to lose faith. If we become as humble as a child, we will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven... so how important is it that we teach our children about Jesus? Children will naturally believe and see through eyes of faith, but we MUST help them keep that faith.... especially as they mature and most especially in this day and age.

Obviously, as I go into my profession of teaching in the public school system, I won't be able to openly profess the message of Jesus, but what I can do is show them LOVE. I can pray for these kiddos and I can ask that through their eyes of faith, they will see and feel the love of Jesus through me. In every hug, in every smile, in every correction or re-direction, in every praise/compliment, etc. Wherever you're at... and however you keep in contact with the children in your life, I challenge you to LOVE them. If you're not able to be around the children in your lives very much, don't forget that PRAYING for them is crucial to expressing your love. Pray for protection, blessings, favor, and pray God's promises over their lives. If you are blessed to be around the children in your life, then maybe just making extra time or giving an extra hug or praise would be a good way to show love. I am convinced that just as it is human nature to want to be accepted, how much more is it that children will want to be accepted? And loved? And what better way to show them our love, than by telling them about our SAVIOR'S love-- the greatest love of all!

Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving! xoxoxoxox