August 18

“About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ’Which of us is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ Jesus called a small child over to Him and put the child among them.” — Matt 18:1-2

When the disciples wanted to know who was greatest, Jesus called a little child, and took him on his knee. The disciples were clustered around him, and saw what he did. A little child in the midst, is used ofttimes to teach great lessons to older people. When a new baby comes into a home, God sets it in the midst of a family as a teacher. Parents suppose they are training their children–but the children are also teaching and training them.

I learned more of the meaning of the fatherhood of God, and of the way He feels toward his children, in one week after the first baby came into my home, than I had learned from teachers and books, even from the Bible, in all the preceding years of my life. Every child’s life is a book–a new page of which is turned over each day.

Children are not angels, and yet they bring from heaven to earth many fragments of loveliness. Their influence in a home is a blessing. They soften hearts; they change the whole thought of life in their parents. It is no more SELF; they begin to live for their children. The children open love’s chambers. They train their parents in patience, gentleness, thoughtfulness. While a young child is in a home–a school of heaven is set up there. Sad is it for those within, if they miss the chance of learning such blessed lessons.