Let the Little Children

Detail from “Jesus and the Children”,  Stained Glass Window by Franz Borgias Mayer at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA, Photo by Andreas Praefcke (Licensed-PD-Art)

The children were lined up for lunch in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school. At the head of the table was a pile of apples. The nuns had made a large sign, and posted it on the apple tray: “Take only ONE.  God is watching.” Farther along the lunch line, at the other end of the table, was a pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had scribbled a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”

Sweet joke. God is not, of course, stingy.  He made – and watches over – apples and chocolate chip cookies alike. Not to mention children.

“ ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven’ ” (Matt. 19:14).

Lord Jesus, we lift our little ones up to You at this time.

To our shame, there are children in our world – in our own cities even – without adequate food or clothing; without adequate shelter. Daily there are children exposed to guns, drugs, and alcohol.  Daily there are children neglected or abused.

Having borne the brunt of our sins, You better than anyone know the impact of those sins on our children. Reach out to our little ones, especially those at risk. Surround them with Your love and protection.

Amen

READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse  http://www.avoicereclaimed.com