Mark 10:13-16
Last evening, I received a phone call from Barb whom I knew when we lived in British Columbia in the 1960s. That is a long time ago. At the time, Barb was a teenager but was part of the singing group I directed. During the phone conversation, she told me a story about our daughter that happened back then. I never knew this story before.
Our daughter, Julie, was about 3-4 years old when she had to have surgery. Barb apparently went to visit her in the hospital. Julie noticed a necklace of beads that Barb was wearing and thought they were so beautiful—where could she get one like it. Barb removed the strands of colorful beads and handed them over to this three-year-old Julie saying, “These are love beads. Someone gave them to me to show her love and told me to share them with someone else who could use a little bit of love. You may have them. Maybe you will meet someone who needs these beads of love, and you can give them away also!” (Perhaps you remember those hippie love beads of the 1960s and 1970s.)
A few days later, Barb returned for a second visit and noticed that Julie was not wearing them. She asked her where they were, to which our daughter replied, “Oh Jimmy left the hospital yesterday and I thought he could use them.” It has left an impression on Barb for fifty years!
Jesus knew the importance of children. They have so much to teach us. That is why in all three synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus blesses little children. He really wants to be around them. To those who thought Jesus was wasting his time with the children, Jesus said, “Let the Little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” I give thanks for Barb who visited our little girl and shared the beads she had with her. I give thanks that Julie was able to “pass it on” to bring love to a little boy she met in a hospital. May we all learn from these two special people the value of reaching out to others, sharing, and passing love around.
PRAYER: Lord, make me an instrument of your love. Help me realize that we can learn from small children, old men and women, and everyone in-between! Amen.