8/30/11 Let the children come

¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (Matthew 19:13-15)

(Jesus, the Childrens' Friend- Warner Sallman 1892-1968)

Thought: Today I would have you pray for Ashley, a 20 month old, with severe brain trauma from a huge limb that fell on him.  It does not look good for Asley's earthly life to last.  But we know that Jesus welcomes little children.  We trust that He will again.
God gives life, and children are His first- for He made each one, knows them, and loves them. 
In Colton Burpo's book, "Heaven is for Real" a four year old describes his near death experience and trip to the entrance of heaven.  There he saw many, but especially two people stand out- his great-grandfather whom he had never even seen in pictures, and his sister who was unborn (his mother had a miscarriage- Colton did not know about this either, but was able to tell his mother about his young sister).  He describes that there are not all adults in heaven.  If Jesus loves babies, it is not too unromantic or idealistic to say he would want to call some into His presence. 

Prayer: For parents who see their children suffer, for children who suffer, and for Ashley, we pray tonight, Lord.