I love children. As far back as I can remember, I loved to rock babies, play with toddlers, and interact with youngsters. They are so honest, so real. Their unbridled joy is contagious. Their innocence is refreshing. The face of a child captures my heart!
The miracle of God’s creation called humanity amazes me. I have been blessed to meet and love many children. I know firsthand that “children are children,” regardless of their economic situation, skin color, or nationality. From the rural farm community that was my childhood home to North Alabama, where my husband and I raised our own sons, from the red dirt of West Africa to Montana’s northwestern corner, kids want to be kids. Oh, how I love them! They are precious and pure. I have found that most children really only ask two things of you beyond food and shelter. They want to feel safe, and they want to know that they are loved.
A couple of weeks ago, our church sponsored a team to help with a children’s camp in Montana. I smiled to myself the first night as one of my young campers prayed for God to take care of us and keep us safe. She put a lot of emphasis on the “safe” part, cataloging all the things that came to her mind from which we needed protection. It was no surprise that she decided to voice that prayer just after the generator was turned off for the night. After confirmation that counselors would be right there to keep her safe, she was sound asleep. We spent a great deal of time with our campers, tucking them in at night and kissing their nappy little bed heads in the morning. It was wonderful to share our love and the love of Jesus with them. For that week, they knew they were safe; they knew they were loved.
We don’t always like to admit it, but adults are not that different from children when it comes to safety and love. Every morning I call my parents, who live a couple of hours from my home. Before we say goodbye, they always tell me, “be careful, and know that you are loved.” I am 57 years old, and it still makes me feel good to hear that someone wants me to be safe and loved. It is not like I don’t know it, but I have to admit I like to hear it. There are no strings attached. They don’t love me “if” I am successful, or “if” I make good decisions. They love me. They always have, and they always will. I know that, but it still feels good to hear them speak it.
It takes only a few moments listening to the nightly news to be reminded that we live in a harsh and cruel world. We wonder about our safety, the safety of our children, and loved ones. We grieve for lost lives and shattered families, regardless of race, occupation, or religious beliefs. We shudder as we hear of yet another terrorist attack or senseless murder. We weep as we witness the deeds of those who do not value human life. We wonder if our nation will turn back to God, who so richly blessed us. So much heartache and pain on this side of eternity. But we must not be dismayed. We don’t need to worry. We belong to the one true God, the creator and sustainer of the universe. Our salvation and safety rest in Him alone, the one who loves us with an everlasting love. Governments, politicians, weapons, and armies will fail us. People will fail us. Jesus Christ is our hope and our salvation. He loves us with perfect and eternal love.
That is good news for those who place their trust in Jesus. Good news that our heavenly Father loves us and keeps us safe. He tells us in Isaiah 41:10,
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
How about that? We have nothing to fear. HE is with us. And love – 1 John 3:1,
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…”
Children of God. Children who are loved by God.
One of my favorite scripture verses is found in Romans chapter 8 (see below). Read the words slowly; let them sink into your very soul. If Jesus Christ is your savior, you can know that you are safe. You can know that you are loved.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
Charlene Miller
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#charlenemillerblogs
