And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3, NIV
One Sunday, while greeting people as they arrived in the foyer of our church, I saw a teenage girl enter and look around uncomfortably. She was wearing clothes that… let’s just say were not quite appropriate for church: a very short skirt, tank top, and high heels. I didn’t think I had seen her before.
I introduced myself to her with a smile and a warm welcome, asking if I could help her find someone. She said her friend had invited her to church, but she probably wasn’t expecting her since she had invited her every week for months.
I led her down the aisle to the front few pews where our youth sit every week. As we walked, I could see people stare, lean over and whisper, and throw looks of disapproval at her. When we got to the front of the church, her friend jumped up and climbed over half a row of others to get to her, throwing her arms around her neck. Some of the other youth were saying, “Yeah, you came!” and “Wow, come sit by us.”
She was smiled at and hugged as she made her way down the row to sit in the middle of the group.
Two months later, I sat and watched this same girl being baptized. The youth stood and cheered as if they were at a football game. Thank God the youth were there to receive that young girl. Had it been left to us adults, she probably wouldn’t have ever come back after that first day.
I quietly prayed, “Lord, make me more like them.”
I’ve often heard that “children are cruel,” but it also seems they can be quite accepting.
As your students come into your classrooms wearing a variety of clothing and accessories—name-brand, no-brand, outrageous, and inappropriate—how will you treat them? Will they immediately be met with your judgment, or will they be met with your acceptance? Will you view them as your problem or your purpose?
How can each of us carry out the attribute of being more childlike in our daily environments (classroom, hallways, meetings, cafeteria, office, etc.)?
May I know in my heart what is important to You this day, dear Lord. I pray for the salvation of each of my co-workers and students. Amen.
Copyright Kathy Branzell.
Kathy has a heart for encouraging Christian educators and currently serves as the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Prior to this role, she was the founder and president of Fellowship and Christian Encouragement (FACE) for Educators.
