Let the Little Children Come to Me...

² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
-Matthew 18:2-5




     I miss Paola a lot. Who knew an eleven-year-old could teach so much to someone twice her age? Paola is a beautiful girl that I met at Hogar de Vida orphanage in Guatemala. I think of those children often and it is always with a sense of awe and admiration that I remember their love for our Lord.
    Most people would walk through the streets and through the orphanage and see all the things that are missing in the lives of these people. Our missionary Dena, said that a big mistake that people make is wanting to give "America" to these children. They don't need America, they have Jesus.
    These children have pure joy inside their hearts because they know the Lord and they live for Him. They find happiness in small things like swinging on a swing or swimming in the river. (el rio!) They are thankful, helpful, friendly, loving, and trusting to anyone who enters their home. Their unashamed passion for life in what is surely an imperfect world can only be a result of God's love.
    They have so little in a physical sense. Few clothes, few possessions. The world would consider than poor or underprivileged. But they are rich where it counts. Their hearts are full. I prayed every day I was there that God would give me a grateful heart like these children. They have all they need because they cling to Jesus.
    The last night of our visit, Paola was sitting on my lap around the campfire. While we were singing, I felt her reach down and slip something on my hand. When I looked down, I saw her purple bracelet on my wrist. One of her only personal possessions, and she gave it to me without a second thought. It's no wonder that God tells us we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. 
    They radiate love and joy. Instead of complaining that they don't have their own room, whining that they have to do chores, or pitying themselves because they don't have parents, these children embrace life and praise God for what He has given them. Let's strive to be more like them. Instead of wishing for what we don't have, we need to count our blessings.
    The only thing we truly need has been given to us by God through Jesus.
:-) Smile. The kids do it a lot.