Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

If this photograph had been taken a day earlier then I would have included it in yesterday’s post about the beauty and the promise of children (Placing the Greatest Story in the Hands of Children).

Geoffrey (at two and a half he’s our youngest grandchild) shines so brightly not just because how God has gifted him as a human being, but he shines as a reflection of the love and light and positive energy around him.

When Jesus reminded his followers that “The Kingdom belongs to such as these…” he was telling all of us that when we gift the world around us with our positive energy, our light, our enthusiasm, our joy, our encouragement, our ebullience – then we are bringing in The Kingdom.

In a sense, then, this is also commentary on leadership.

I read something recently that demonstrated leading others in the exact opposite way than Christ’s teachings. Unlike the witness of children, the message was saturated with unbelief, with negative expectations, with defeatism, and with resignation. Whereas the Good News message literally vibrates with joy and expectation and belief and light and encouragement.

Be. like. These. Children.

Here is a quote from yesterday’s post. I think it goes well with this photograph of Geoffrey – DEREK

Our grandchildren represent all that is good and hope-filled, and bursting with possibility in this conflicted and war-torn planet. Children don’t just give me hope, they define the word “Promise.” God has saturated them with so much love and purpose and goodness and grace and set them loose in this world to do great things!