CHILDREN

PSALM 127:3 (CEB)
No doubt about it: children are a gift from the LORD.

MARK 9:36-37 (NLT)
Then Jesus asked a child to stand near him. He put his arm around the child and said, “When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
To welcome children is to welcome Jesus; and to welcome Jesus is to welcome God the Father.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, without hesitation you welcome us as children into your family -- even though we are vulnerable and needy. My compassion does not stretch that far. I even get annoyed with children because they are such an interruption. Reorder my values and priorities so that my care and compassion reflects that of Jesus, whom I claim to follow. I'm going to look at vulnerable people in a new way. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your Kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.