Because we love our children

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus asks a little child to stand up and he puts is hands on him and utters the following words:

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

I find it interesting that Jesus made no distinction about the child beyond little. He didn't say believer child or jewish child or pagan child or crippled child or sick child or healthy child or rich child or poor child. He just said little child. I think he was getting to the heart of what his time on earth was about... loving someone (or mankind) simply because they were made by God in His image. I think children are important because I find it easier to see God in them than in adults. When I see the children of my Muslim friends or Buddist friends or Athiest friends I am reminded that same image of God that I see in the child is in their parents. When my Muslim friend tells me about each of his children I see the pride and love radiate through and I can't help but love his children too. Children also help us as human beings cross lines. When my Saudi friend told me how her daughter's best friend is suffering with Lukemia and her family just found out my heart broke for the child, my friend's daughter, and all the families involved. I am reminded that these are people in God's image that are suffering a pain that He never wanted for them. So when my friend asked me to pray for her daughter's friend my heart wept for the chance to lift her up before God. When I pray tonight I do it having the joy of knowing that he is listening to my prayer a her bedside because he was already there. I will remember she was one of his little children first. He loved her first and always will love her. If you feel like joining me and my friend, please pray for Joud in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.