Children - our prized blessing

Matthew 19:13-15 (NLT)
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

In these verses we find followers of Jesus bringing their children to be blessed. They did this because of their respect for Jesus. It was also out of kindness for their children they brought them to be blessed; for they saw the blessings of Jesus as precious. They wanted Jesus to lay hands on their children, such as the blessing of a father given to a son. The disciples not wanting Jesus to be bothered scolded the parents, but Jesus openly welcomed the parents to bring the children to Him.

The parents in Matthew 19 wanted their children blessed for protection and prosperity. It is a parent’s duty to protect and guard over their children. Most of us know Alison Arngrim as Nellie Oleson from Little House on the Prairie. She is a founder and board member of PROTECT.ORG founded as an advocate organization for children. Abused herself she found this a high priority in her life. Protect is founded on the belief that their first and most sacred obligation as parents, citizens, and members of the human species is the protection of children from harm. They are committed to building a powerful, nonpartisan force for the protection of children from abuse, exploitation and neglect. As parents this should be our goal to make our children a priority and protect their rights and lives. There are many children who have suffered either by neglect or because parents were unaware of circumstances. (Sugar Ray Leonard's autobiography will be in stores next month. Leonard details his troubled home life as a child and tells, for the first time, of being sexually abused by a boxing coach. When first writing the book, he wasn't going to tell the whole story. Even telling his co-author Michael Arkush part of his experience was difficult to do. Leonard then said, "But last year, after watching the actor Todd Bridges bare his soul on Oprah's show about how he was sexually abused as a kid, I realized I would never be free unless I revealed the whole truth, no matter how much it hurt." Source: Protect.org)

Parents take part in your children’s lives and ensure they are protected, safe, and secure. Support organizations that help safeguard your children such as Protect.Org. Keep a vigil watch for problems and issues and communication openly with your children. Children are a blessing from God; make sure that blessing is preserved.