Do Not Offend One of These Little Ones
posted by on 02/6/10
Its great to be in the schools again! This session I have also been taking training which has been very helpful and improved my teaching skills. During training one Monday afternoon, Amy read this to us and it renewed my vision for the work here. It discribes our work well. Think of a child whose life you are touching as you read the following:
“When a boy or girl thrusts his small hand into yours, it may be smeared with chocolate ice cream, or grimy from petting a dog; and there may be a wart under the right thumb or a bandage around a little finger. But the most important thing about his hands is that they are the hands of the future. These hands are the hands that someday may hold a Bible or a Colt revolver; play the church piano or spin a gambling wheel; gently dress a leper’s wound, or tremble wretchedly, uncontrolled by an alcoholic mind. Right now that hand is YOURS. It 
asks for help and guidance. It represents a full-fledged personality in miniature to be respected as a separate individual whose day-by-day growth in Christian adulthood is your responsibility."
Wow. Lord, be our Guide!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I wish I had taken time to read it before yesterday:( I already have a profound sense of responsibility and influence in the life of 2 little girls who we know and who attended our Home Church meeting yesterday.) They love us and look up to us; we may be the only really profound Christian influence in their lives. I am praying that God will show me how to plant seeds and water them in the soil of their hearts, with the brief and few times we see them.
Thank you for this encouragement to seriousness and more diligent thought towards this end,
Mrs. Gunn
Thank you for sharing this, Esther. I daily have the opportunity to hold the hands of little ones – often they fit the description of the quote, but I need to keep in mind the “big picture.” They may be the hands that the Lord uses for many great things in years to come, and I have the opportunity to influence them now. Thank you for the timely reminder!
Very true, very true! That is wonderful! I have never regretting being a Christ-like example to younger ones, even when it means discomfort or change in plans or not doing what I think would be fun etc. Like a boulder on a hill, the longer it rolls in a certain direction the faster and more forcefully it goes in that direction; so starting people off in the right direction can save a lot of headache and heartache later. At the same time, with Christ no situation is too late or too hard or too hopeless. So keep up the good work!
Just to think that a moment of truth invested into the life of a child today may result in 30, 60, or 100 fold for the kingdom of God – wow! Thank you Esther for this reminder not to despise the needy and the poor that I daily come in contact. This is the secret to a shining light (Is. 58:8-11).