“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.” Matt. 18:10
Orphan Trains transported nearly 200,000 destitute children, mostly from Boston and New York, to families across America between 1854 and 1929. They were mostly immigrant children who had been orphaned, abandoned or neglected by their families. When they arrived at a train stop, they would be hustled off the train and lined up for inspection by waiting adults. Poked and prodded, some were selected based upon what the adults felt would bring the best value to their farm or business. Those not chosen would climb back on the train and head for the next stop. While many children found good homes and families, many others were exploited, abused, and treated as indentured servants or worse.
Around the world children are still exploited and abused today, often while adults who know better look the other way. As horrible as child abuse is in the supposedly civilized world, there are other ways adults often express their lower view of children.
Some adults, who find children annoying at best, seem to find delight in either ignoring or scolding children at every opportunity. Some churches try to keep children out of the adult worship services for fear they may interrupt or disrupt the adult service time. I wonder if our Lord would consider that a form of looking down on His little ones?
It’s not hard to get angry over physically abusive acts towards children, for which we demand justice. But when we stop to think about it, are there other ways of looking down our noses at children that ought to demand justice as well? Does refusing to help in the church nursery or volunteer to teach in the children’s department fall under the warning of Jesus to not look down on one of these little ones? Wouldn’t it be exciting to see what God would do through older adults like us who see ourselves as spiritual grandparents to these children and take up strategic roles as teachers and helpers in our children’s ministries?
Here are three easy things any of us can do to keep our view of children in proper focus:
- Pray for specific children in your church. Ask a children’s leader to give you the first names of children in their class, so you can pray for them by name.
- Volunteer for one of the children’s programs in your church. These children desperately need older role models and mentors in their lives. There are usually plenty of opportunities that fit our present limitations. I love being a large group teacher in our Awana program. Ask your children’s ministry leaders what opportunities exist which would work for you.
- Adopt a family in your church and ask their permission to serve as spiritual grandparents for the family. Send birthday and Christmas cards to the children. Invite the family to your home for dinner after church once a quarter.
Treating children as a precious treasure placed in our care by the heavenly Father is not just the responsibility of parents and grandparents. It is also the responsibility of every adult towards every child in our neighborhoods and churches. Our Savior’s heart resonates with concern and compassion for children. Should ours do any less?
GRANDPAUSE: “We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” ~Stacia Tauscher
