For those of us who work with hurting children, another year has come and passed, and hopefully, we have made a difference.
Those of us who have the honor of ministering to hurting children have richest job on the planet.
We get the pleasure of ministering to innocent children who have an innate desire to love the Lord.
“I love Jesus with my whole heart, all of it,” she says as she draws a picture of a heart.
We get to spend time with little people who really want to believe in our Lord.
“You mean God really answers our prayers? He really does hear us?” a little, bright-eyed girl asks as she hears about how one leader got a job after we prayed for her to get a job for thirteen weeks.
We get to be influenced by a population of people who are pure in heart.
“I think about Jesus all day long every day!” the child says as he finger-paints.
Even in the Bible, when others didn’t believe, children believed.
“But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant.” Matthew 21:15 (ESV)
However, children also pay the price for adult decisions and for the mistakes the adults in their world make.
“As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls.’” Luke 20:41–44
We know children are paying the price because we wipe their tears.
“But why did Grandma Sue die?”
We hold the hurting.
“Why didn’t my dad come and pick me up this weekend? I was waiting for him. It was his weekend!”
We soothe the aching hearts.
“Put your hand on your chest where it hurts.” And the child puts his folded hands over his heart and says, “Right here! It hurts right here!”
We also get to rejoice when they rejoice. Sing when they sing. We share the “It’s really not my fault!” moments when they realize their parent’s divorce is an adult decision.
We get to dance and twirl when they dance and twirl. Laugh when they laugh and praise the Almighty when they praise Him.
“From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” Psalm 8:2
This article is updated and adapted from an article originally published on the Kids & Divorce blog on December 30, 2013.
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