Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me. Mark 9:37

Sam is one of the adorable children in the Sunday school class I co-teach with Donna Rogers in the little country church built by my ancestors. Our church is small by any standards, quaint and quiet, with a dedicated congregation who feel like family, and simple, stained-glass windows that were given in memory of the faithful members who came before us.  

As a result, our class is small, ranging from six children to only one or two each Sunday. The excitement they bring into the Sunday school room is palpable, and the joy they give us each week is immeasurable. Each child is distinctive…and so very loved. They come to us with big personalities, innocence, eagerness, and a simple love of Jesus in their hearts.

Sam is our quirky, down-to-earth, straight-talker who charms us with one glance of those big brown eyes.  He has opinions about everything, and is bubbling over to share them. This past Sunday, we had him all to ourselves, and what a grand day it was! He came into the room—as all the children do—spilling over with the things that were on his mind. He lost his great grandmother recently, and treated us to a stream-of consciousness monologue about her death and death in general, which always includes his fantastical stories about dogs.

Donna and I listen to our children. The things on their minds give us cues for guiding them. Sam’s concerns about death led to hugs and a discussion about the sadness of losing someone we love, as well as the promise of eternal life. Then we were on to our lesson. 

I teach directly from this beautifully illustrated Children’s Bible, and Donna creates crafts that help illustrate the lesson. Our goal, Sunday after Sunday, is to ensure the children know that Jesus loves them and to instill in them a love for Jesus. Still, these little angels amaze me in their capacity to learn and understand scripture in a clear and uncomplicated way. 

Sam was so excited about Sunday’s lesson on the Holy Spirit—what is it, when did it come, why did it come—that he declared, “I just want to hug God!” 

I wanted to race out and say to the serious-minded adults, “See! This is how it should be! We should love God like a child.”

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Luke 18:17

There is so much more I could say about Sam, as well as all the children we teach. How he loves to ride the antique rocking horse in our classroom. “Where are you going, Sam?” I’ll ask him. “To Wal Mart,” he’ll say, with that sly little grin on his face. How he prays with such fervency and simple faith. “God, thank you for peanut butter.” But I’ll bundle up all that joy and share it with you another day.

Let the little children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16.

God is good.

Peggy Webb