Children
Children are a blessing
and a gift from the Lord. ~ Psalm 127:3a (CEV)
Jesus said,… “Don’t you know that the Scriptures say, ‘Children and infants will sing praises'” ~ Matthew 21:16b (CEV)
Jesus, it is interesting that you so closely identify with children. I shouldn't be surprised because you were always hanging out with the powerless people -- the people who are low status. And children certainly don't have power or status. They cry when they shouldn't. They need constant attention. They don't really contribute to the family. Yet they are definitely a gift from you -- live-in illustrations of what it means to trust and praise you. They are leaders in your kingdom. Please, Lord, I need to become more like a child in this way. And I need to have a greater heart for children. Help me to be less consumed with my grown-up world and more interested in the well-being of children. I'm going to look for a way to bless a child today -- even if it is with just a smile or a greeting. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
