Anyway.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this posting since I read it yesterday. The other shoe dropped for me this morning: in the cultural context you’ve given us, as shocking as was Jesus’ message about who is included in God’s kingdom, his message about who is *excluded* would be no less shocking when he gave it:

1. At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, *ye* shall *not* enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
(Matt 18:1-7)

Again, thank you for sharing this very disturbing and refreshing insight.

Yesterday, I listened to a radio rebroadcast of Music and the Spoken Word from April 23, 2006 titled “The Hope of the Children.” The “message” portion contains insights from Lloyd Newell into what it means to become as a little child, in the sense Jesus means:

Nearly every day we see portrayed in the media innocent children suffering the violence of war, the ravages of nature, and the pain of disability. We see little ones wide-eyed with fear or glassy-eyed from hunger, clinging to desperate parents or crying alone. The world can be so cruel to those who deserve kindness the most.

But the faith of children is not easily shaken, so they pray to a loving God, who is aware of the trouble they face. He hears their prayers over the blast of a car bomb and above the din of street fighting. Whether they are kneeling in supplication or pleading silently in their hearts, children seem to know intuitively that God will hear them. There is no disability, no man-made uproar, no natural disaster that can hinder the heartfelt plea of a child.

The answer to such prayers comes in the form of humble hope. Like the first hint of dawn following a long night, there comes the sweet assurance that things will be better, that all is not lost, that the future holds a promise of peace and joy. The darkness of conflict can give way to a brilliant gleam of trust in the victory of good over evil and right over wrong.

This hope must find a place in the heart of each of our precious children. Whatever their station in life, despite the troubles that surround them, they need to believe that somewhere there is room for them to grow and to feel the love of Divine Providence. Surely somewhere we can find a place—a place of safety, a place of peace, a place of love for each child who prays for hope. (emphasis added)

Your talk reminded me of the bolded portion. I must admit that this “spiritual thought” from M&SW seems a little simplistic and optimistic. I agree that God hears their prayers (such is my faith that He really is there and listening), as suggested in the second paragraph, but I have often wondered just how much “hope” the mere hearing of prayers is supposed to give children who are in the midst of their undeserved troubles, inflicted by the abuse of the depraved or the cruelty of nature and chaos. I am not so sure that God has given a commitment to bail anyone out of these predicaments. Being as a little child means being willing to face a new day despite all adversity put in our way, and humbly submitting to God despite these things.

We actually had a couple of good talks yesterday, too, so we’re on a bit of a roll.

Your comments reminded me of a story my wife recently told me. She teaches private art lessons to a boy in our ward. The other day his younger sisters came running over to where they were working, their hands filled with pill bugs they had found in the yard. “Look!” they shrieked with delight, “It’s pill bug heaven!”