From The Heart Of A Child

From the Heart of a Child

[Jesus said,] “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”

Mark 10:14

I praise God for the forty-plus years I was privileged to work with inner-city children. There are no words to express the joy they have been to my life. God taught me so much from the many days of fussing, crying, and singing with these precious souls. Most of my godly wisdom came from the hearts of these little ones, “my kids.”

I remember asking my kids in early December to help decorate the church for their upcoming Christmas program. Among the decorations was a ceramic nativity scene, which I warned them not to touch. I was summoned to the office to take a phone call, so they were alone in the sanctuary. I heard a noise from the office and quickly ran to see what had happened.

My eyes widened and my hands flew up in the air as I tried to process the image in front of me. There was baby Jesus lying on the floor in a million pieces. My kids began a familiar chant of “Oohs” and “Aahhs” and “Ms. Chocolate’s going to get you!”

All the fingers pointed to Davie, who was staring at me with his big brown eyes, hiding his hands behind his back.

I was about to give him a tongue lashing he would never forget when he came close to me, declaring, “Ms. Chocolate, Jesus not in the manger. He’s in my heart.” How could I be angry? Davie brought a new meaning to Christmas that year.

God used a child to tell us once again that he came to live in our hearts.

—Gwen Williams (Ms. Chocolate)

Father, may I always listen as you speak to me through the hearts of children. Their words are so sweet and true, just as your Word is. Amen.