Beauty of a Child

Who can describe the beauty, sweetness and innocence of a child? A child is lovelier than a sunset infusing the earth with respondent color. Is more captivating than a glowing red rose bathed in the morning dew.

A child is more enchanting than a starlit night or a meadow of green. Is more delightful than a spring morning leaping from the womb of night by the gentle kiss of the rising sun. In the sparkling, trusting countenance of a child lies a beauty unequalled in the winsome world of nature.

Jesus loved children. "Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14). Picture Jesus surrounded by children, laughing, talking and playing with them, clasping them to his breast in an embrace of love divine.

Fortunate is the home that is blessed with children. Their voices of gaiety and laughter resound throughout the house, giving life to brick and mortar, and converting four walls into a citadel of joy. True, there are exasperating moments in the parenting experience. But if we knew that tomorrow those small fingers would lie cold and stiff, would they really vex us then as they often seem to now?

How swiftly time passes, how quickly they grow. Crawling, walking, running, kindergarten, graduation, all too soon they fly from the nest of home. No more goodnight kisses, toys on the floor, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ballgames, PTA meetings and "Daddy will you play with me?" Give them your love, time and companionship today. Tomorrow may be too late.

Life is as transient as the movement of a weaver's shuttle, the wilting of a flower, and the passing of a shadow (Job 7:6; 14:2). The spring of childhood swiftly blossoms into the summer of manhood. "Is it well with the child?" (2 Kings 4:26). The heart of each parent contains the answer.

(Editor's comment: In reading this powerful tribute to the intriguing characteristics of little ones, there came to mind a haunting story in the morning paper about Sherrice Iverson, 7, left unattended at a resort hotel while her father occupied himself in the upstairs casino. At 3:48 in the early morning, according to the film in a security camera, the little darling was trapped in a ladies restroom by a youth. The young man, who had proudly displayed to casino attendants his pierced tongue and navel, raped and killed the child. The story does not say if the father won or lost at the gambling tables. Few would be a thoughtless and crass as Sherrice's daddy, but many a father and mother do not give to their offspring the love, time, and training they need ­ and that God's word requires of parents. And this, too, is abuse. Let us take the responsibility of caring for children given into our keeping seriously. Most of all let us bring them up in the nurture of the Lord. The home has a duty to train children in the right way of God, and to fail in this and lose the child to the world is as tragic as leaving a little girl helpless and exposed to danger while shaking dice. - H. A. (Buster) Dobbs )