Have you Noticed?

Matthew 19:13-15

Two groups of people who seem to be out of favor in our fast paced and highly technical society are children and older adults, have you noticed this?  Being a part of one of those groups, I’ve noticed how intolerant many in my age group are of those beautiful and vibrant children, and it makes you wonder why, and even ask the question; has this always been the action of older adults?  As I reflect back to my busy schedule as a young dad with a desire to earn my place in corporate America, it required learning to listen to those who held positions above me.  But to my shame, I was often guilty of placing them and others of importance in a pecking order above the young and the old. 

Have you ever wondered what you missed if you did as I did, well I have not only wondered, I’ve reflected on the many lessons that both the younger and older in our culture have taught me.  My daughter Natalie was almost four years of age when I noticed while eating dinner that she ate the food she did not care for first, so I ask the question, why?  This was her answer: “Dad, I have to eat it right,” and my answer was yes, that food will help you grow into a beautiful girl.  She then said, “Then I will eat what I do not like first, so I can enjoy what I like.”  That was profound, in that I had formed habits of putting off my business reports that were required by my management until the last moment.  That day my little girl gave me important council, and I began to apply her application to food and my business life; it was amazing the change in the way I looked at paper work, and the new freedom I had by listening to my sweet little girl. 

Earlier, I ask the question has it always been this way, and it seems like the answer is that these disciples of Jesus saw the little children as one big pain.  “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice