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"Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate." (Anonymous)

I have been thinking about our world's children this week after watching the Youtube video, "Kony 2012." Humanity has so many needs, so much healing waiting to happen, and not the least is for our children.

How terribly sad that some of our children grow up so broken that they become breakers of others. And some children seem to be born carrying a burden of anger that they bear through their years, projecting it out into the world.

Still many, most even, are loved and taught to love and are born full of love and go on to be healers in a world hungry for wholeness.

So, as I think about our children, and the adults that they all too soon become, I think that our world desperately needs us to be people of patience, kindness, compassion, mercy, forbearance, wisdom, forgiveness and, in and through it all, playfulness. As we exercise these qualities of the heart today we are remaking our world, one act, one attitude, one word at a time. And for those children we meet who are difficult to love, who are full of sharp edges, who for whatever reason, do not grow with their inner light brilliantly shining - love them even more. Surround them with so much love that the rough edges are gently worn off and they begin to know themselves as Children of God.

In this day make a difference - make a HUGE difference, by being kind to a child. Tell a child today that they are beautiful; remind them that they are a gift of love; listen to them; just be with them. Repeat as necessary until they understand the gift of being created in the image of a loving God.

"Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear." 

(Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa )

You are a world-changer; today change it for the better. 

Pastor Bill

Breathe
and pray

and think
in your mind's eye

of a child

smiling

laughing

being held
by God's
light

and breathe
again,
in

out

and give thanks
for children

You
are
God's
Child

(First published March 21, 2012)