“Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)
Some have hindered the children because they have been forgetful of the child’s value. The soul’s price does not depend upon its years.
“Oh, it is only a child!”
“Children are a nuisance.”
“Children are always getting in the way.”
This talk is common. God forgive those who despise the little ones! These dear boys and girls—there is something to be made out of them. If now they yield themselves to Christ they may have a long, happy, and holy life before them in which they may serve God with all their hearts. Who knows what glory God may have of them? Heathen lands may call them blessed. Whole nations may be enlightened by them.
A famous schoolmaster was accustomed to taking his hat off to his boys because he did not know whether one of them might not be Prime Minister. We may justly look upon converted children, for we do not know how soon they may be among the angels, or how greatly their light may shine among men. Let us estimate children at their true valuation, and we shall not keep them back, but we shall be eager to lead them to Jesus at once.
Our ONLY Hope as Parents
“Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.” (Psalm 119:49)
Our hope as parents is NOT our ability, but God’s promises. We might long (and work hard) to set our children up well for the future, but their tomorrow (let alone their eternity!) is outside of our hands. We cannot stop trials from hitting their lives. We cannot stop ungodly influences from reaching their lives. We cannot stop suffering from breaking their hearts.
But we have hope because God has made promises. He’s promised to never cast away our children when they call on him (John 6:37). He’s promised to provide every one of their needs as they lay their lives down for Christ (Philippians 4:19). He’s promised, not that they wouldn’t face trials, but that he will be at work in their trials (Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 1:6–7).
We have hope for our children’s future because God is good today and he will never change.
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