Devotion 1: Let the Little Children Come to Me
But Jesus said: “Let little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” –Matthew 19:14
I am a Kindergarten teacher and in my classroom, I have a book called RACE! It is a sweet story about a little boy who takes several toy cars around his backyard in a race. It has all the onomatopoeia and rhyming words that both a student and their teacher loves. Today a student pulled the book off of my shelf for the class read aloud. As I held up the book, it was met with cheers and excitement. Students quickly started calling out which car they were cheering for. “I hope the orange one wins”, “I’m going to cheer for #8”. Now, this may not strike you as anything special, but every student in the class has heard this exact story read to them at least 10 times before. They know exactly which car will win. They know exactly how that car will do it. Yet, the children come to the story with the same joy as when they read it the very first time. Have you ever gone into a daily devotional, a bible study, a church sermon and thought oh… “I know this story.” “I have heard this before.” “I know how this will end.” Have you ever checked out or just gone through the motions because of these thoughts? I know that I have. Jesus says: “Let the Little Children come to me…the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” As I saw the joy and anticipation on the children’s faces as I read RACE! I couldn’t help but think of these words…. God knows the joy of a little child, and although it may be a lot harder to find… that JOY lives in the adult you. Read that same old bible story over and over again. You may know the ending already, but I want to hear every single day JESUS WON! He conquered all. He died for me. He made a new life for me in heaven. So I have decided that tomorrow. I am going to pick up my bible again. I’m going to say… “I’m cheering for that little one born in a manger.” And then just as a little child, I’m going to hang on every word, and I am going to celebrate when I get to the page that tells me He rose, He rose for me!
Oh my goodness this is so creative. I’m extremely jealous that you found such a great lesson in your daily life!! This is truly amazing!
This is a lesson everyone who grew up in church needs to hear many times as they grow up. I’ve found myself in the common slump of this mindset all to often through high school and further. This devotional though has challenged me.
Thank you for this devotional. As I face a new school year During these trying Covid times, I am going to focus on “Let the Little Children Come.
I am not finding the book RACE! On line. Would you please send me the author’s name? And maybe a picture of the cover?
This is my last year as a preschool director before I retire. I have loved my job but this season of Covid has really been tough and challenging. But God has show his blessings
Blessings to you
I’ll have to find the book in my classroom tomorrow and send you the author and a photo. It has absolutely been a trying time, but God loves showing us all the little blessings. I pray this year goes well for you and your students.
Thanks, but a friend found it on Amazon. So I’m good to go. Hope you have a great school year.