Investing

I was walking my dog yesterday and I was praying about what to write and dig deeper in The Word about when this phrase came to mind, "It takes a village to raise a child." Where had I read this? Surely it was in Matthew. Wait, no, I think I saw it in Acts. No, that's not right. Proverbs? And then I realized that it was not a bible verse:) However, it did apply to the day and what was on my heart. Our oldest  was graduating from preschool that morning, and as I reflected over the past two years that he had attended school, I realized just how much had been invested in him by his two wonderful teachers. And then I realized how many people were a part of him becoming the gentle, fun, bright, Jesus loving little boy he is today. We have been so blessed by our "village".

Luke 18:15-17

[ Jesus Blesses Little Children ] Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 

Jesus cherished the little ones he came upon each day. Although this is only a glimpse into the heart of Jesus for the children, I can imagine him constantly stopping on his journeys to tousle little mops of hair, play a game of "got your nose", or just gaze affectionately at the children around him. He knew their value and that they were the future of His ministry.

So how do we invest in the children in our "village"?


John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Knowing this and receiving God's gift and understanding His love for us will pave the way for demonstrating His love to others. His grace is abundant and when we receive that, loving others is easy.


John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

So what does God's love look like?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

We have heard this verse at weddings and preached time and time again. Why is that? Because it is so important to the message of the Gospel. But demonstrating this love to our children is huge when investing in and encouraging them to grow in Christ. And we have an opportunity to do this every day. Whether children are an immediate part of our life or not, there are always opportunities to show love to the community around us. What a gift! And we are rewarded ten fold when we get to be a part of the fruit our children are bearing because of it. God is so good!