All Kids Go to Heaven
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
“I just can’t do it.”
Adam’s head was on his desk, his pencil was on the floor, and his frustration was proclaimed loudly. Many times over.
“Yes you can!”
My colleague came over to him, put her hand on his shoulder, and knelt beside him.
“NO I CAN’T!”
He shouted at the top of his lungs in response. HIs classmates were used to this. My colleague too. I was as well. Adam’s frustration reminded me a lot of frustration I have too.
And yet, how often do we ignore the issues of our childhood when trying to resolve issues of the present? When looking to resolve struggles in relationships, at the workplace, or interpersonally, why are we so quick to ignore how similar our felt emotions are to what we experienced as little ones?
Children quickly inform others of their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. It is in their nature. In their precious, narcissistic, and blameless naivety, kids believe that the world literally revolves around them. They are, after all, what happens to them. Their ego may be selfish, but it is always honest. And it always has room to hear blessing.
Although normally long-suffering, I was pretty annoyed with Adam. He didn’t do a lick of his writing. And now we were on to music class. The problem was he hated music. With the fire of a hundred suns. So, using my superhero, Jedi Master skill of persuasion with the little ones, I convinced Adam to go to music IF we had a soccer break after the class was over.
It worked. He was convinced. Onward we went to music class.
And in music, Adam paid no attention. He hid under chairs, refused to sit on the carpet with his peers, and ignored all the redirection of the music teacher. I was clearly failing in my work as a paraeduator. But my work as an educator wasn’t the only place I felt like I was failing.
I had just recently been dumped by my girlfriend. My community group had dwindled down to five members when it was once twelve. And I continued to struggle with the same ole, same ole sin issues. All these circumstances, clearly, showed that the favor of God was not on me. Every one of these failures pointed to me being a failure.
Whilst irritated at the behavior of Adam, I suddenly felt acute pain on the right side of my chest underneath my shoulder. Astutely observant even at the ripe age of 6, Adam noticed my pain-ridden face. The teacher then arrived to pick up the class, and our plan was in motion. Walking ahead of the class en route to the room and the ball, I actually moaned in irritation. Adam responded.
“What’s wrong Mr. Caleb?”
“I’m not sure. My shoulder hurts. Right here.” I pointed to the spot where it ached.
We arrived at the classroom entrance and I told him to wait at the door. Grabbing the small, green playground ball I walked back into the hallway. Adam stopped me.
“How does it feel now?”
Adam placed his hand on my shoulder. And, 100% truth be told, the pain was gone.
Stepping back into the classroom for a second to avoid my student see his teacher burst into an avalanche of man-tears, I heard a still, small voice say this:
“If only You saw me the way he sees you. The way you care for him is the way I care for you.”
That soccer break brought with it the surest and most profound sense of peace I have ever felt in my life. Right there, in that moment, in the midst of my shortcomings and failures, the kingdom of God was at hand. Adam, who had several dozens of incidents striking or kicking teachers the previous year, now was healing his teacher through touch.
What would it look like to come to God as if He were our loving and nurturing Father? Why did Jesus tell His disciples, when asked to pray, to start by saying Our Father? What does He mean when He says His sheep hear His Voice? Why don’t we go on soccer breaks with Our Abba?
After the break, Adam did end up finishing his writing. And although he still struggles with defiance, self-doubt, and a tendency to meander around the classroom to avoid doing work, he is now going on two years without harming a teacher. This too, is the kingdom of God at hand.
All kids go to Heaven. They are quick to forgive, love freely and generously, and have unlimited potential to learn and grow. These true qualities of all children are enhanced when parents, teachers, mentors, etc. love and respect them by encouraging them to become who they really are while also emboldening them to forego who they are not. Children need neither a cruel, ruthless tyrant nor a kumbaya, “best friend” genie. They need adults who love and respect them, adults who also love and respect themselves.
Who can teach us to love ourselves better than the One the apostle John describes with the word, Love? Therefore, let us bring all of our anxieties to our Heavenly Father, all of our insecurities, all of our “I JUST CAN’T DO IT” outbursts, all of our self-loathing. The apostle Peter says He cares for us.
So go on a soccer break with Your Abba Father. He would love to hear from His kid.