The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 10:13-16, “And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 ‘Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.’ 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”

The true character of anyone is nowhere more openly evident than the concern one has for dealing with children. Throughout the Scriptures, and throughout life, the demeanor people exhibit in association with children is largely indicative of their attitude and respect for all mankind. Here in this passage, the disciples demonstrated a “get-out-of-the-way-kids” attitude toward the children. Possibly, Jesus experienced a flashback of His own childhood and grasped it as an opportunity for showing both adults and children the love that ought always to be honestly displayed.

The love that adults of all ages show to their children is without a doubt the characterization that will be demonstrated in their children’s lives. Children who, unfortunately, receive little to no love from their parents have to look elsewhere or suffer becoming like those children in their own adult lives. It’s a “what goes around, comes around” kind of life. Even casual observation tells a sharp-minded adult what that child is going to be when he (or she) becomes an adult.

Thus, as parents, we are both planters and reapers. We reap what we sow in the lives of our children. Quite understandably, I exhibit some characteristics that were inside our family. They have worn about as well on me as they have on those who influenced me to adopt them. There’s a short verse that says, “Be careful, little one what you think; be careful, little one what you think. For the Father up Above is looking down in love. Be careful, little one, what you think.”

Parents, you be careful, too. For what you display in your life, your children will also display in their lives. We all want our children to adopt and image our better qualities, don’t we? Be adoptive of the qualities of the LORD Jesus. That’s really the key to everything good!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom