Let The Little Children Come to Me

People were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

A certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.'" He replied, "I have kept all these since my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" He replied, "What is impossible for mortals is possible for God." Then Peter said, "Look, we have left our homes and followed you." And he said to them, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:15-30 

Let The Little Children

Can't sit still for a moment
waiting for adults is an eternity
loud and pouting, laughing, crying
dancing and running in  the rain.

Little ones are messy and disruptive
terrorists in their own homes
making calm parents frazzled
and energetic elders exhausted.

They stalk imaginary beasts
little warriors who paint themselves
small hand that mold clay and weave
dreams of wonder delight and awe.

These little wondrous hurricanes
so delight the heart of God
that we are all invited to be
like the little children in our lives.

May we approach the Divine today
with all our conflict and our pain
with all our hopes and expectations
throwing arms wide as we approach love.

Come frightened little boys and girls
turn around and seek God's love again
run and know you are welcome and called
dance for love is calling to you.