This morning was like any other morning for me. I woke up and began praying.
Praying for my children is at the top of my list. I began to pray for each specifically and pondered on each area of gratefulness and concern in their lives. Before I continued in my morning prayer, I felt that I was led to read the scripture verse for this morning. So I tapped on my biblegateway.com app and read Matthew 19:14. It reads, “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.’”
When I read the words “Let the children come to Me” I thought to myself, “Let? Shoot, I want them to RUN to You!”
I know that I’ve always seen the picture of young children being placed on Jesus’ lap when taught this verse in the bible, but right now, at this stage in my life with children who are 13, 17, and 19 years of age, I envision children of any age coming to rest on Jesus’ lap. Maybe it’s because I desire for my children to yearn for such closeness with Christ that that is why I can imagine them running to Him.
Here’s this section (only three verses) in its entirety:
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”  And He placed His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left. Matthew 19:13-15
Notice that the parents brought their children to Jesus. Yes, Tim and I dedicated our children to God when they were born. They have been brought up in church and surrounded by the love of family and of Jesus. This stage (teens and young adults) has had me often being reminded that Tim and I did bring them to Him and have raised our children in the instruction of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6) . Yes, He has our children in the palm of His hand. Yes, we know all the right words to say to ourselves when it comes to reassuring us that God’s got them. But, as I’m sure at any stage and age of one’s children, we desire God’s best for them, it hurts us when we see them struggling and hurting and searching for the path in their lives, and yada yada yada. (Can you feel me? Am I alone in the struggles of raising children and letting go?) As I’ve said many times, and I know, “This too shall pass.”  All we can do is pray.
How about you…do you have children you want to see run to Jesus? Do you need to run to Him yourself? He’s waiting for you. RUN!  He’s got a place on His lap for you.
I pray many blessings and much joy for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie