My Sticker

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But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16

my sticker Luke 18:16
my sticker Luke 18:16

The other night I opened the door to a Mom with her little girl. They were visiting people in the neighborhood to sell some beautiful items to raise money for their school. The little girl handed me a leaflet describing the items they were selling. They were festive holiday decorations with evergreen branches and flowers. One of the items really caught my eye, so I said

“Id love to get this one.”

The little girl gasped, and the Mom smiled. I was wondering why they reacted like that but I had to ask them to come back in half an hour so that I could get them cash for the purchase.

So while this was going on, I took a closer look at the catalogue items and realized that I had picked the most expensive item in the list. It was only $40.00 so it wasn’t going to break my bank account but as I recalled their reactions and the look on their faces. I started to smile. I was realizing how important this project was to them.

When they returned, I gave the Mom the cash, and the little 6 year old girl was sort of hiding behind Mom a bit and it looked like she wanted to step out and tell me something so I quietly urged her to share what was on her mind with me. In a couple of minutes she skipped out from behind Mom and she had a beautiful countenance, she looked so fervent and angelic. I asked her how old she was because when I was in pediatric nursing they taught us to invite children to speak their mind. To be themselves. She stood for another minute looking at me with those big Doe-like eyes and then said to me “I got a sticker for you.” And she handed me a little scrap of paper with something scrawled on it. The sticker pictured above was the little girl’s way of showing me her gratitude and I made a point of giving her a big smile and making sure she knew that I really liked the sticker.

Mom initially looked a bit concerned how I would react but her little girl completely stole the show with that sweet, angelic look on her face. That little interaction was the highlight of my week. Mom looked so relieved when she saw my gratitude. That child did not need to be told to “do good” or to “be good.” Thanks to a loving parent who cared enough to take her little one out into the world and help demonstrate to her how to bless someone’s day, the little girl was the perfect example of Heaven on Earth.

Jesus knows the burden of every mother’s heart. He who had a mother that struggled with poverty and privation sympathizes with every mother in her labors. He who made a long journey in order to relieve the anxious heart of a Canaanite woman will do as much for the mothers of today. He who gave back to the widow of Nain her only son, and who in His agony upon the cross remembered His own mother, is touched today by the mother’s sorrow. In every grief and every need He will give comfort and help. {DA 512.2}

Let mothers come to Jesus with their perplexities. They will find grace sufficient to aid them in the management of their children. The gates are open for every mother who would lay her burdens at the Saviour’s feet. He who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not,” still invites the mothers to lead up their little ones to be blessed by Him. Even the babe in its mother’s arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments. {DA 512.3}

In the children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus saw the men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His sake. He knew that these children would listen to Him and accept Him as their Redeemer far more readily than would grown-up people, many of whom were the worldly-wise and hardhearted. In His teaching He came down to their level. He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain to answer their questions, and simplify His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their minds the seeds of truth, which in after years would spring up, and bear fruit unto eternal life. {DA 512.4}

It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ. {DA 515.1}

Fathers and mothers should look upon their children as younger members of the Lord’s family, committed to them to educate for heaven. The lessons that we ourselves learn from Christ we should give to our children, as the young minds can receive them, little by little opening to them the beauty of the principles of heaven. Thus the Christian home becomes a school, where the parents serve as underteachers, while Christ Himself is the chief instructor. {DA 515.2}

We are all children of God and the sooner we Christians learn that, the better off our beleaguered world will be.

God loves His obedient children. He has a kingdom prepared, not for disloyal subjects, but for His children whom He has tested and tried in a world marred and corrupted by sin. As obedient children, we have the privilege of relationship with God. “If children,” He says, “then heirs” to an immortal inheritance. Christ and His people are one. {6BC 1077.8}

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Rom 8:17

I am so happy that I was given this sticker today. It will have a prominent place on my living room wall and will serve as a wonderful reminder of the blessings of our children, and the blessings of God.