In My Mind's Eye - Child Centred

I closely follow my father as he makes his way through the busy crowd.  I walk beside him, but also a little behind.  Keeping my eyes down so I am not caught up in passing greetings, I focus on all the feet, many shod in my father’s carefully crafted sandals.  I see some of my own labour in them too, as I am learning his skill.  

I don’t want to be here. Abba knows I don’t feel comfortable in large gatherings, yet he has insisted I come with him today.  He is curious about the Rabbi named Jesus.  I don’t blame him!  I’ve also heard the wild stories about how he has been healing all kinds of injuries and sickness.  Too bad my shyness isn’t a physical problem - otherwise maybe he could help me too.

The crowd seems to be breaking up a bit.  We are moving against the flow of most people at the moment.  I glance up and see that we are part of a small group of parents and children approaching a loose huddle of men.  I can catch the odd word from their conversation … divorce… Jerusalem… travel.  My apprehension grows as one man notices us and comes our way.  One of the other fathers politely explains he would like Jesus to bless his child.  This gets my attention!  Although I am nervous, now I am very interested too.

But the man doesn’t seem to like the idea much.  “Don’t bother Jesus with such trivial matters.”  I look up at my father.  I can tell he is disappointed as he places his calloused and scarred hand on my shoulder and we start to turn away.

“Wait!”, we hear.  “Bring those children to me!” My father gently nudges me forward with the other kids.  I stay toward the back of the group, my need to blend safely into the background winning out over my desire to see what happens next.  

Jesus takes a moment to look at each one of us, and when I sense His eyes on me, I risk a glance up from the dirt.  His kindness is striking!  He steps past the other kids and draws me forward by the hand.  He speaks quietly to me and calls me by name.  My butterflies softly settle.  Then He raises His voice so His friends and the families nearby can hear.  

“I love being around kids!  Their innocence, their humility, their openness of heart, their faith…The Kingdom of God is for people with hearts like theirs.”

There is a stunned silence as Jesus gently lays His hand on each child and offers a blessing.  Then it’s my turn.  As I feel the weight of His hand on my head, I feel the weight of my shyness shift.  Jesus chose me out of the crowd to stand by Him as He used children like me as an example of “heart rightness”. 

As Abba and I make our way home, I still stay close, but I keep my eyes forward.

Jesus’ kind gaze and gentle hand are on me still.