Esme's New Friend

 "Jesus said, '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: 14-16

    What a friend we have in Jesus!

    A little over one year ago, our two-year-old granddaughter, Esme, had fallen from a second floor window, landing on her back. The prayer chain sprang into action while we anxiously awaited news. 

    Though it seemed at the time Esme may have had a spinal cord injury, our Heavenly Father, rich in mercy, gave His diagnosis: a mild concussion; no fracture, no paralysis. When we saw a picture of her wearing a wee hospital gown as she walked beside the medical staff, a balloon bobbing overhead, we rejoiced in her salvation from harm. It was as if an angel had lifted her in his hands, lest she dash her foot against the stones below (Psalm 91:11-12)

    Last night, when being tucked into bed, Esme asked her mom if they could pray together because she wanted to ask Jesus to be her friend. Her mother had been telling her that Jesus would come live in her heart if she would invite him. After they prayed, Esme asked her mom to put an ear to her chest to see if she could hear Him in there. Happily, her mother complied, concluding, "Yes! And He is saying, 'I love you, Esme!'"

    This is more thrilling to me than the news of her birth because she has been born of the Spirit. I will never have to say good-bye to my granddaughter; we will live together forever in heaven with our Savior Jesus. I know my mom and dad will love to meet her there in glory! More than these, Esme will have a Friend who walks with her and talks with her, who will never leave her nor forsake her, come what may. What a Friend!

The Savior Kindly Calls

The Savior kindly calls our children to His breast;

He folds them in His gracious arms, Himself declares them blest.

"Let them approach," He cries, "Nor scorn their humble claim;

The heirs of heaven are such as these, for such as these I came.

With joy we bring them, Lord, devoting them to Thee,

Imploring that, as we are Thine, Thine may our offspring be.