Loving the Children

Yesterday was the last day of Kid's Club. The lesson was on Easter, the real reason we celebrate-which at first doesn't sound like anything to celebrate. During the lesson, I felt sad. It was the last day with these kids I was just beginning to know, six or so of whom had been begging to sit with me, some of them for the first time, and this combined with thinking of Jesus' suffering. 

I held one little girl, who acts much older than she looks-not in a good way. Making comments and goofing off, she hadn't been paying attention until I picked her up. Then, I was surprised to find her eyes hardly left the teacher's face. Next to me sat the little boy who worries me more than any other there. He doesn't listen to what you say, and he won't be quiet. Sometimes he doesn't want to be touched. As Mrs. Drees detailed what they had done to Jesus, what He had endured for us, as I was overwhelmed with thankfulness and love, he said, "Good."

"That's bad," said the little girl on my lap.

"No, good."

"Bad." They went back and forth. I addressed the little boy, saying, "He did it for you, because He loves you." The thought had been overwhelming me, and at his response, I felt angry at first. Good? What sort of little boy calls such suffering good?

And not only suffering, but to my Savior...

But then I realized that this boy needs to hear this. What must have happened in his short life to give him such a pessimistic outlook? After I talked to him, he seemed to be less contrary, and as I rubbed my hand through his hair, he quieted, almost falling asleep-yet I hoped he still could hear.

Before he left, I hugged him-though I had to tackle him first. "Are you going to miss me?" I asked.

"No," he replied.

"What?!" I asked, tickling him.

"Yes!" he cried. I let him go, and he said, "Not!"

But I also looked in his face and said, "I'm going to miss you. Remember, Jesus loves you, and He died for you."

One little girl wrapped her arms and legs around me tightly, saying, "I don't want to leave! I won't let go. My favorite Kid's Club teacher!"

With these visions filling my mind, I felt compelled to write.


For the Children

 

 Looking in your eyes

How can I but love you?

 
Though you do not listen

And often turn away













How can I resist

When you give me a hug



 










When you say that you won't leave me,

That you'll never give me up?

 
Even when your heart is hard

And you disobey,

When you refuse to heed,

And you push me away,

 


My heart breaks all the more,

Full of love for you,

 


 'Cause I do not know

The things you have gone through.
 

And you don't understand

That your deepest need

Is to hear that very Word

That you will not heed.

You often amaze me















With the joy upon your face,

and I wonder what I would

Be like in your place.
 









If I had lacked the love

It's evident you did,



 

I would have been just as much

A rebellious, ornery kid.

So when you are excited

To show me your art

Or want me to take your picture 

It touches my heart.

I cherish every grin

And arm clinging to my neck

 


 And as I kiss your hair,

I pray you won't forget.

That somehow every story

And lesson has sunk in,

That when you are older,

They keep you from sin.

There are so many of you,

I may forget your name,



 






But I want you to know

I love you just the same.  








At times like these, I wonder why we worry about lesser things, when the souls of children are at stake. Think of the love that Jesus has shown us, loving us though we deserved punishment, and pray for the children.