Why we must accept children in our midst...

Why we must welcome Children in our midst :Institutions, Homes, Organizations, Churches...(By Dr. Harrahs Malinda)

continued from previous page...

By taking the child in his arms, Jesus modeled to us the kind of love and affection we/ Christians/ child care workers/ institutions/ the world should have for children. They are a gift from God to be cherished, respected and cared for at all stages of their development. By taking the child in his arms, Jesus modeled to us the kind of humility we should have when serving children.

continued...

We have to humble ourselves and understand children well in order to offer them appropriate services and interventions. The study of Child Development is about understanding children holistically to serve them well, and with dignity.

In the arms of all persons working/ serving children, children should feel welcome, loved and cared for. All those working with children should be servants of the children, accountable to them, and persons with great compassion, affection and integrity. Jesus affirms this kind of heart and service in Romans 12:9-13. “ love must be sincere , hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love, honor one another above yourselves, never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer and share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality”.

By taking the child in his arms, Jesus was modeling to us the kind of heart we should have when serving children as well as the kind of services to offer them. In his arms, children find love, affection, provision, protection, care and security.  God’s love is pure, free, sacrificial, and unconditional. It is this kind of love that Jesus demands of all those working with ministry to children to demonstrate.

Jesus also sent a strong message that children should be embraced and welcome in the society. They are a part of the society that the Lord holds close to his heart and emphasizes that welcoming children is welcoming God.  They should not be ignored in the learning process, where they have an opportunity to grow in the ways of God and become a vital part of the church and the society. By welcoming children in our society at an early age, we are setting up a strong foundation where the children grow in the ways of the Lord ( i.e.  in wisdom, in stature, in fear of God and of man also translated to mean cognitively, spiritually, physically and socially ). Jesus modeled to us that children should be nurtured holistically right from the start by developing and building their skills early for life and for eternity.

By setting the child in the midst, Jesus was also demonstrating to us that children have definitely something to offer to the adult world. According to Him, they are a model of humility, Kingdom citizens, and representatives of God (since to “welcome’ children is to “ welcome’ him and God. Children will draw the father and mother and brothers and sisters to fellowship. This is affirmed in Luke 4:44, when Jesus himself went to the temple. His father and mother came looking for Him. “Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.”

 Here, the child Jesus drew his parents to the temple gave them a new understanding of the word of God. Children can lead adults to seek and know God. Children find comfort where they are welcome, feel loved and wanted. Jesus found himself welcome in the temple. Let us welcome children in our churches, in our homes, in our schools, institutions and in our organizations.

Jesus example of setting a child in the midst further communicates that children have a hunger that must be filled. We cannot identify and quench their hunger when we are far from them, when we are not affectionate and welcoming to them. To identify their needs and respond to them appropriately, we need to draw them close to us and embrace them in our arms so that they can feel our touch and experience our presence. We need to be close to them. We need to know what they want and facilitate appropriate actions to bring them to a position of understanding and fulfillment. Jesus example of setting a child in the midst is very significant to us as he did not sample the child based on any criteria. The child signifies the kind of children in our homes, churches, society and world today. We have sick, poor, orphaned and many vulnerable children in our midst today.

Jesus model of humility and hospitality to children is also affirmed in Luke 14: 13, “when you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors. If you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot pay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous”.

By inviting and welcoming the vulnerable children, we are expanding the kingdom of God.  Luke14:23 affirms this: “ go out to the streets and country lanes and make them in, so that my house can be full”. This message is very strong to all parents, organizations and institutions dealing with children. We have a command to go out to the streets, homes and in communities to look for children and win them for Christ through our words and deeds. Let us welcome all children and respond to all their needs. Orphans and vulnerable children and all children with special needs should find a place in our churches, schools, homes and communities. Jesus did not discriminate; he invited them to fill his house. Let us embrace all children in our arms, with compassion, in Jesus name!

Dr. Malinda, Coordinator, Child Development Programme.

"Make the World free, safe and friendly for him.."

................................................................

..................................................................

..................................................................

Oxford Journals
African Journals Online (AJOL)
Springer e-Journals
Interscience Journals
Daystar University