Let the Children Come Unto Me…

For many years, Tony Campolo spent much of his time traveling around the world as an inspirational Christian speaker. His wife, Peggy, on the other hand, chose to be a stay-at-home mom. Occasionally, when Peggy traveled with her husband, she would find herself engaged in conversations with some pretty impressive and influential people.

After one such trip, Peggy told Tony that sometimes as she visits with these powerful people… she finds herself feeling intimidated and sometimes even questions her own self-worth. Tony said to her: “Well, honey, why don’t you come up with something you could say when you meet people that will let them know that you strongly value what you do and that you feel that it is crucially important?

Not long after that, they were at a party where a woman said to Peggy in a rather condescending tone, “Well, my dear, what do you do?” Tony heard his wife say: “I am nurturing two Homo Sapiens into the dominant values of the Judaeo-Christian tradition in order that they might become instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia God envisioned from the beginning of time.” And the other woman responded:  “O my, I’m just a lawyer.”

Today, I am grateful for all parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and mentors who sacrifice in ways large and small for the good of children, and for all who have helped plant seeds of faith. 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

Let us pray: We thank you for those who made a difference in our lives when we were children. And today help us to be a bright light for others — to shine a little love, hope, and grace through our words, through our generosity, and through our actions. May we be a sign of your Kingdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.