Unhindered

 "People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10: 13-16

    Recently, I visited my eldest daughter and her family in Texas. It was time for my three-year-old granddaughter, Esme, to have her annual check up, so I went along.

    As we waited in the pediatrician's exam room, Esme busied herself writing on a board on the wall provided for that purpose. When the nurse arrived, Esme made one last drawing before going to her: it was a cross. 

    In candid excitement, she told the nurse, "I made a cross. Jesus died on the cross!" Though the woman chose not to reply, Esme's declaration brought joy to her mother and me (and to our Lord as well, I'm sure.) 

    May I be so eager to say as much!

    The gospel is simple enough that a child may understand it, but somewhere along the line, we make it into a theological oration when it needn't be. I remember, the older my mother got, the bolder she became in sharing her faith. 

    I am going to take a lesson from Esme and my mom by lifting high my gospel light, unhindered. This must be what Jesus meant by receiving the kingdom of God like a little child, no matter one's age. 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16