Children are so impressionable, sweet, ready to forgive, quick to hug. Filled with laughter at the simplest of things. My heart always goes out to them. Some do not come from wealthy families, not even middle class families and as I speak to them, laugh with them, care about them, I think back to my own childhood. Not unlike some of these children. Childhood as God would have it is training, loving, telling your child you love them every day, that they are important to you. Spending time with them, teaching them God’s Word, playing with them, always having time for them. That’s extremely important and above any “thing” that you could give a child. It makes them feel secure to know that they are important, loved and cared for…..and though the necessities of life are important to children, you can never fill their souls with “things”.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psalms 127:1

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord ……..” Psalms 127:3

People will ask about my past. Normally I shy away and dodge the questions, because the greater truth is, I’m ashamed of where I came from, what I came from. It has only been through the sunshine of His love that I have been able to overcome those days. I’m literally not the same person. Not withdrawn as I was, but outgoing. Always a smile. They will ask where I grew up. Literally. Everywhere. That is why I dodge the questions. Has been much easier to write about than speak about. I lived with grandparents, in foster homes, adoptive home. Shuffled about like so many cards. You can be given all of the necessities in life, but without care, love, nurture, concern, counsel, the rest is meaningless.

“On the other side are cars that don’t tinkle with the sound of rolling beer bottles, and houses that don’t have a bed in the living room. But what really kills you on that other side are the people – the smiling, carefree people- who can just as easily look over into your side,and turn their face away.”

“Train up a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

…and children are smart, very smart. You can’t hide anything from them. They know and can spot insincerity quickly…..and they will call you out on it. Never underestimate a child….and they will call you out if you are not paying attention to them……listening to them. I have one child at school that says “hey” to me constantly. Haaaa! I’d better listen too. Children are so much fun. Excited about everything…..but just as easily hurt.

“Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And He laid His hands on them, and departed thence.”  Matthew 19:13-15

“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow. Yet we forget that he is someone today.”

Eileen Light