When I was a youth pastor, a father of a youth came into my office and said that he could trust me even though he didn’t know me that well. His reason? “People who love children can be trusted,” he said.

He himself was a lover of children. He coached a youth soccer team until cancer took him away at entirely too young an age…

I think he was right. The people who like children – not just theirs only but all children in general – can generally be trusted. That is because children would be of no benefit to us, adults, like other adults could be. They do not help us in advancing our careers. They cannot contribute monetarily to our well-being. They take a lot more than they give in relationship…

That is why Jesus said, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me…. he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48

Jesus knew that if we have truly experienced the love of Christ, we will also love those who cannot give back in any way. That is the way He loved us. He loved us even though we cannot give back to Him in any way. Therefore, if we felt His love, if we understood His ways, then we will go on to love little children or any other people who are marginalized and devalued.

Check your heart. How do you really feel about the “little” people? Are they a nuisance? Do you welcome them?

If you want to be great, not only go low yourself, but also associate with lowly people.

PH