Become as Little Children

And he said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

I am exceedingly grateful that my mother, my father and my Uncle Dave take my son, Cole (4th grade) and my nephew TR (12th grade) to Bible Study Fellowship every Monday evening.  I am overjoyed about the incredible Biblical education that my son is getting from this program.  This year, they are studying through the book of Acts.  I cannot say enough good things about BSF  - the children's program is just superior! 

What is really neat is that Cole is currently studying early church history through to the middle ages in his Homeschool curriculum, so he is getting a double -dose of this period in history.  And boy is it sinking in, his retention of the material has been phenomenal.  

Tonight, Cole and I were studying the stoning of Stephen, who was the first martyr of the early Christian church, through his history curriculum.  When we got to the part which explained that it was the very audience listening to Stephen's amazing sermon who stoned him, Cole exclaimed, "Talk about a tough crowd!"  

I laughed out loud!  

He then went on to remind me that the crowds that I have been speaking to over this last month are nothing compared to the one Stephen had to deal with. (I've given three talks in the last month, one on prenatal loss, one for National Adoption Day and one on prenatal loss and its relationship to adoption. And Cole saw me preparing for them a lot over the past few weeks - and I am sure he saw that I got a bit stressed to have so much to prepare for this month).  He said, "Even if you don't think so Mom, I think you'll do a lot of speeches in the future. And I hope you remember that no matter how tough your audiences could be they are nothing compared to the audience Stephen had when he preached that sermon where he was stoned." 

Amen, Cole, Amen!

The Word is so real to my son and this brings me unspeakable joy!

Tonight, we also went through some of his BSF homework.  While we were reading the Word together, he said, "It made me really happy when you, or maybe it was dad, said that God particularly honors the prayers of children."  

 "I am sure that is true," I said "but you should know that he will still hear your prayers when you are an adult just as he hears mine.  What matters is your heart." 

Cole said,"Well, I still think there might be something special about kids prayers don't you?"

I replied, "Probably yes, but I'm not sure how to explain why?"

Cole then said, "Mom, since I'm a kid, can I think for a minute, and then tell you why I think so?"

"Sure, go ahead." I answered.

So, he closed his eyes and waited silently for a bit."

He then opened his eyes and said, "We, kids, have weaker minds and we don't know which way to go, so we go to God more fully than adults.  Adults rely on themselves because they think they know, but kids know they don't know and that they need help; so they go to God for help and God honors them for this.  Plus, since this world was overcome by sin, it's really dangerous for us kids, and God knows it."

While he was speaking, I was taking notes right there in my Bible on the top of the first page of Hebrews. Seeing as he had taken so much time to think in silence with his eyes closed and knowing that this seems to be his way of seeking God in his heart and accessing his wisdom directly, I figured this was gonna be good.  

Yep, it was quite good.  Apparently, closing his eyes and turning his heart towards God, WORKS!

Just as the Word says, unless we become as little children we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.  We must know that we are weak minded and that we don't know the way to go and that it is not wise to rely on ourselves.  As Cole explained.  Children know their weakness and so they know their need of God.   Humility.  God lifts up the humble - He hears and answers their prayers. 

Comments

[Felicia]

Your son has brought tears to my eyes. I have never heard it put so well before. You have one very bright child,as I am sure you know ;)

[Naomi]

He is seriously a wise old man in a young kids body!

We love you Cole!! Hope to see you soon.

Naomi and family

[JulieinCA]

The wisdom of Cole always amazes me. What a blessing to read this.

[Maternity Clothes]

Wow, that really touched my heart.

[Sally McRae]

always in awe of the Cole's wisdom; so young, and such a trailblazer for Christ. Thank you for sharing such a precious moment with us. love you Ker,
sally

[BILL THOMAS]

I like this. Children with no homes and no family is no good at Christmas. But I read an inspiring tale of orphans who found a home.
http://adrivingfool.blogspot.com/2011/12/texas-dog-ranch-christmas.html

[online jobs]

oh =( this is so sad... that's why i love sharing what i have to less fortunate ones.

[Melissa]

I think everyone should be aware of the millions of children in the world who are alone and suffering.

HELP ME CREATE AWARENESS BY JOINING ME http://atleastfeedone.blogspot.com/

"No man is so poor as to have nothing worth giving. Give what you have. To someone it may be better than you dare to think." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In third world countries, orphans are much more common and prevalent. These orphanages are usually overcrowded and underfunded.

According to UNICEF, there are somewhere between 143 & 210 MILLION orphans worldwide.

Let me give you a better visual of these numbers. The United States has a population of 312 million people.

Better yet, that is more orphans then the entire population of Russia (142,914,136 people)...and finally, that is at least 4 times Canada's population at 34,605,346!!!

Every 2.2 seconds, a child turns 18 and must leave the orphanage or foster care where they once found shelter (In some cases the child is under 18 years of age). In some countries, 80% become homeless and many are forced into prostitution in order to survive. Even in some areas in America, over 60% of the children who age out, become homeless.

This is more than mere statistics. These are real children, with real feelings, who desperately need a loving hand.