The Little Ones

Wow! I've been really busy lately. I'm working everyday, (yeah, I know, I'm supposed to be retired). I recently kept 3 of my grandchildren while my daughter and her husband went to Vegas, and was reminded ONCE AGAIN why young people have children. Then, adding the 'to do' list for Christmas kind of puts my level of activity over the top for someone my age. Yuk! That sounded terrible.....someone my age..... I'm late with this post, and part of the reason is the busyness, but there is another reason related to that busyness. Although I had two or three ideas to write about, I think they were my ideas and not God's. Since the whole purpose of this blog is to speak what He would have me to, I put it off because I was not getting clear direction on what He would have me write about. Yesterday morning when I woke up it dawned on me .....BAM.... I've been so busy I have not been in the Word as much as usual. That is a post for another time, but be wary of being so busy during this season that you cut time with the REASON for the SEASON short! It sometimes happens that when I least expect it, and idea pops in my head. I believe God is "popping" those ideas into that cavernous space. Anyway, that happened today, so here goes. I have been working at the school most of the fall. I don't normally go outside for recess duty, but today I did. As I was watching the children play I was thinking about kids and Christmas. The kindergarten teachers had gone 'all out' on their hallway display this year, and the children had been totally captivated by it. Watching their faces be so excited automatically starts me thinking about how Christmas will be for them. Working as long in education as I have, I can usually spot children who are facing great difficulty in their lives. Poverty, hunger, abuse, neglect, living in a home with addicted parents, the list goes on and on. Suddenly, God did his 'popping' thing and I knew what He wanted us to hear this time. Jesus loved children, and they loved Him. He was very protective of them, and admonished us numerous times to love and protect them. In Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Mark 9:"37 says "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me." Another scripture that comes to mind is Matthew 18:6 - "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Pretty clear He wants us to recognize their importance, huh? The Springfield paper ran a news story from USA Today yesterday. The New York Post office has been playing Santa for 100 years, matching letters with volunteer donors who want to fulfill the children's wishes. The man in charge of the program, Pete Fontana, became so distressed this year over the letters that he had to stop reading them. He says this is the "neediest" year one could ever imagine . Children wrote of heart-wrenching situations in their homes, some from poverty, some from the repurcussions of Super Storm Sandy. One 14 year old wrote and requested a cane and sneakers for his mom who recently had back surgery, white undershirts for his brother, and pajamas for his grandmother. He then said he had been good this year, so could he please have a warm coat for winter. Most 14 year olds I know want the latest electronic device to add to their collection. Breaks your heart, doesn't it? There are millions of children throughout the world who need help. You can pick sny subject and find some way to help children in that situation. My friend Gayle took a missions trip a few years back, and discovered the problem of slave trading of children at Lake Volta in Africa. I urge you to read "Jantzen's Gift" and visit the website http://www.touchalifekids.org for more information on how to help. Because of my granddaughter, I have become motivated to help Asian girls. I shudder to think of what might have happened to Claire if we had not been able to adopt her into our family. There are so many children locally who need help. The school does the 'Dawgie Bag' program which sends food home to needy children on a weekly basis. They always need funds to be able to do this. The 'Care to Learn' foundation in Springfield is motivating districts and people all over the area to help children who need just the basics to be able to learn better. Area family services divisions have Christmas lists for needy children available for volunteers who want to help. The list goes on and on. I could tell you stories that would break your heart. It was the hardest thing about teaching, and remains the hardest thing when I substitute teach. So many young ones who are hurting and desperate. What better way to pay tribute to our Savior on His birthday than to help these little ones in some way. Watch out though...when you start, it's hard to stop. The needs are so great and the children are so beautiful, your heart may never want to stop. Find a cause to be passionate about all year long. Honor the One who provides for you by providing for those He loved so much. Give Him a present for His birthday He will just LOVE! Funny thing, it will be a present for you too. Try it and see.