For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven!
It was a Friday night not too long ago. Our four-year-old and six-year-old granddaughters, Jocelyn and Carissa, were spending the night with us. Jocelyn was upstairs taking her bath. Having taken hers, Carissa was downstairs with me. We were in the kitchen. I was sitting at the dining table and she was at her little table practicing her penmanship. She is now learning how to read and spell words. She loves to have me ask her to spell a word, and she will carefully write it down on small slips of paper.
She had been spelling out on paper a bagful of words, some she chose and some I requested.
She asked me: “Papa, how do you spell cancer? Does it begin with a ‘c’ or a ‘k’”? I told her.
Several minutes passed by. She then asked me: “Papa, do you know that Jocelyn and I pray for you and grandma every night?” “Yes, Carissa, and we really appreciate your prayers.” “Okay, Papa.”
A few more minutes passed. She asked me another question: “Papa, can God heal you?” . . . “Yes, Carissa, he certainly can.”
About one minute later, she asked: “Papa, will God heal you?” . . . “Yes, Carissa, he will–someday, somehow, some way.” “Okay, Papa.”
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands of them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.
(Matthew 19:13-15)
To which I can only say: Okay, Papa.
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that was beautiful…
Thanks for the grand-daughter story.
I am sure my congregation will remember the two word sermon preached by a little girl Sunday more than mine. Our children were in the main service Sunday, the little ones did an action song and the older ones acted as the praise team. During the little ones action song little Rachel discovered that her daddy was in the congregation (he rarely comes) and when she saw him she exclaimed with one of the most joyous expressions I have ever seen, “Daddy!, Daddy!” He didn’t stay for my sermon but I don’t think he will ever forget the two word sermon Rachel shared.
The tenderness and truth move me to tears. May our faithfulness in prayer match that of Jocelyn and Carissa.
What a lovely story and I know it will be printed out by her family, saved in hardcopy for her to read many years from now and then what a marvelous memory of her grandfather will come into her mind. God bless
Thanks for such a lovely story. He does heal, keep up the faith.
Dear Brother, With God all things are possible. This kind may not come out but by prayer and fasting. You pick the day and I will join you and see if others will join us. In Christ, George L. Faull
Dear Dr. Bob/Brother
I typically read your blog as you have been most influential in my life and ministry of trying to become a good student (key word “trying”). This story especially struck me. Thanks for sharing this. I agree with brother Faull and I will join you in this. I have prayed for you but not daily as I should. But, I will now. I think of you often as I study. Tim Baines