FAITH OF A CHILD

FAITH OF A CHILD

Written by:  Jenny Calvert

About that time the followers came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in God’s kingdom?” Jesus called a little child to come to him. He stood the child in front of the followers. Then he said, “The truth is, you must change your thinking and become like little children. If you don’t do this, you will never enter God’s kingdom. The greatest person in God’s kingdom is the one who makes himself humble like this child. Whoever accepts a little child like this in my name is accepting me. If one of these little children believes in me, and someone causes that child to sin, it will be very bad for that person. It would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be drowned in the deep sea.”

Matthew 18: 2-6 (ERV)

Sarah from time to time gets headaches.  On one such occasion her nine year-old son came to her and said, “Mommy, I want to pray for you.”  He bowed his head and in his child-like faith asked God to please take away mommy’s headache.  When he was finished he said, “Mommy, now you come to my room when your headache is gone so that we can give God thanks.”   It wasn’t long after that Sarah had relief from her pain, so she went to her son’s room where he thanked God for answering his prayers.

Little Tommy has a childlike faith that was set through example by his mother. He believed so earnestly that God would answer his prayer that he made plans in faith to thank God for answering.  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 19:14 (NIV) Every day we can bring our children to the feet of Jesus just by showing them the way. We have a choice to sway our children in either a positive or negative direction.  The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” If we choose to do so, we can demonstrate to children the love of Christ by being that love.  Churches, teacher and others help make a difference in the lives of our children but they do not replace the power of a parent. Tommy has that faith foundation because the bricks of God’s love were laid by his mother. 

Our Father,

Thank you for our children.  Help us as parents, grandparents, teachers, and neighbors to demonstrate your love.  Help us to always point them in your direction.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen