To such as these...

I witnessed the compassionate love of Jesus in one of my four/five-year-old  music classes today. One boy in the class, Christian, has been absent for several weeks. His dad is the new hitting coach for a Major League Baseball team, and so the family accompanied him to spring training.  For a four-year-old, coming back after many weeks of absence is hard--classrooms and classmates seem like strangers. 

As everyone chimed in, singing and moving to the music, Christian's eyes swelled with tears.  "I miss my mom," he sobbed.  

The petite figure standing next to him cuddled her tiny arms around his.  "It's alright, Christian.  It's hard coming back when you've been gone.  I cried when we had to leave my grandma's house to go home from vacation.  I know you miss your mom, but we're glad you're here,'cause we missed you. Do you want to sit down awhile?" Nodding yes through his sniffles, she guided him to a near-by chair, continuing to embrace him, as all gathered 'round to console.

And in that time-stopping moment, God's words came to mind, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."   

Leaving familiar surroundings for the unfamiliar is never easy for the big or the small.  There are times when we all need a little help from a friend.  And today, Jesus stepped in; personified in the diminutive form of a young girl.

I remember seeing a picture of Jesus smiling in one of our school offices.  Children were gathered around him, a few sitting on his lap. His face radiated joy as they clambered for his attention.  

I'm certain he was smiling like that today, watching "such as these" bring the kingdom of God to room 142.