 | Children | Feb 26, '06 1:37 PM
for everyone |
Children are fascinating! They are the very reflection of people in the purest, unfiltered form.
Having just come from Mandy's birthday party 
with half a dozen other kids playing and filling the living room of the
Lows, I had the opportunity present before me to observe 'em children
and their parents. I must qualify though, observing as a bystander
versus being a parent are often two separate things, although I do
believe they are not mutually exclusive because we have God on our
side. Phew!
There was a somewhat traumatic episode that happened. That of two huge
birthday balloons bursting in the hands of this little active and
attention-seeking boy, one shortly after the other. Of course, those of
us adults who were afraid of balloons were already expecting that to
happen, although that didn't seem to diminish the bursts of startle
upon the actualisation of it all. It was interesting too, to note the
reactions of the parents of this boy in relation to the boy himself.
Not to mention my own reaction - that of silently taking it all in in a
seemingly, outwardly calm and composed state, covering my mildly
anxious heart to a certain extent. Not from the balloon burst though.
I was surprised that the parents' first and primary reaction was
somewhat chiding, perhaps jokingly, that it seemed to be the boy's
fault (rough playing) for causing the balloons to burst. And this
seemed to be the pattern of parenting/relating to the boy as with other
instances of 'misbehaviour/disturbance' the boy created. I'm not sure I
read the parents' reactions accurately, since I just met them. The poor
boy was shaken for a while, then swung back to play with other balloons
until the second time it happened. Then he stayed away from the
balloons.
I thought it was quite traumatic for the boy, especially when his face
revealed his dejected spirit and he needed to stay securedly embraced
in the arms of his father for a while to recover from this experience.
And while I do agree that it is a small incident, I also think that the
behavioural vibes/norms this boy receive & observe from his parents
starting from the smallest things define his own behaviours and
reactions. And I know you'll say, "yes yes, that is obvious!" And you
and I wonder why I'm writing all these? To show that I know these
things? To seek your approval and recognition that I know and observe
all these things? Precisely. Do you see how easy it is to fall into
this cycle of seeking men's approval and affirmation? And thus leading
some of us to withdraw in making comments, relating to others, etc. for
fear of rejection, looking/sounding stupid/uncool, etc.
I started out saying, "Children are fascinating! They are the very reflection of people in the purest, unfiltered form." And
indeed they are! If we have eyes that see the good in them. If we have
eyes that see through their souls. If we have ears that hear the
workings of their emotions and what they are feeling in response to any
situation. If we have mouths that soothe, comfort, heal and speak forth
truth in love. They would not just be a reflection of their parents,
but could become babes of Christ, pointing all to the love and
compassion of our Father in heaven. If we would treasure and invest in
our young, recognising their potential to make an impact for Christ
even in their infancy/youth!
If you have been at the receiving end of precious moments; when a child
shuffles up to you from nowhere, simply hands you a balloon and smiles
impishly, when a child puts his arms around you to kiss 
and cuddle, when a child remembers you in prayer, when a child looks
dolefully at you in wide-eyed innocence and then burst out in
uncontrolled giggles, when a child just wants you to hold his hand. You
would know what I'm talking about. And that is just a glimpse of it.
Christ Himself had a special place in His heart  for children. Imagine His indignance at those [his disciples!] who do not share His heart for children!
Mark 10:13-16
13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When
Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God
belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
And the reason why I'm actually
logging in this entry when it's unintended? I was suddenly reminded of
this boy and the HS led me to pray and intercede for his spirit. Praise
God for caring for the little children! Indeed He clothes even the
lilies in the field and feeds the birds of the eye. What more His
chosen ones, His children.
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