Kids Rock

If we were to read the Scriptures from end to end, and list all the times children are mentioned, we would have quite a list. Biblical writers make it plain that children are a gift from God. God forms children and gives them as blessings to parents. They are a reward from God's hand. Jesus loved to be in their presence.

Unfortunately, Jesus attitude toward children did not carry over into the Roman world. Andre Derdeyn, in an article from the American Journal of Psychiatry, pointed out that Roman law gave the father absolute control over his children, whom he could sell or condemn to death with impunity. This concept of absolute right carried over into English law, where it prevailed until the fourteenth century without appreciable change. In the Middle Ages childhood was not seen as the unique phase of life we now consider it to be. It was customary to send children as young as seven into service or apprenticeship. It was not until the sixteenth century that children began to be looked upon as being of particular interest and being worthy of affection.

That has changed in our day. Most today see children as precious beyond description. They possess incredible talent. For example, nothing matches a child's ability to learn a language. In just a matter of months after being born, their brains begin to learn the building blocks of language. In a couple of years they are engaging in conversation with adults.

A favorite television show is one Bill Cosby hosts: Kids Say the Darndest Things. In Sunday School, Johnny's class was learning how God created everything, including human beings. Johnny was especially intent when they told him how Eve was created from one of Adam's ribs. Later his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, "Johnny, what is the matter?"

Little Johnny responded, "I have a pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."

Chicken Soup for the Soul includes a letter written by a child to a teacher. I did not change the original spelling or punctuation -- and I understand this mother's heart.

I think back to my childhood. I lived on the wrong side of town. My divorced mother, my sister and I occupied a small two-bedroom apartment. We lived from paycheck to paycheck, but one thing we never lacked was hope. I had buckets full of hope for the "fewchr." My single parent, alcoholic mother instilled it in me. I never doubted that something good was in store for me. Now my kids are grown and out of the house. Grandchildren may be in my future. Here are my hopes for them:

• I hope they will have time to be children and not be hurried into becoming adults.

• I hope they will have a cadre of people who believe in them.

• I hope they will find God to be a source of strength and comfort.

• I hope they live in a time when they do not fear for their safety at school.

• I hope they will have the inner strength not to go along with the crowd.

• I hope they will like baseball as much as I like baseball.

• I hope they will visit their grandfather often.

1. What were some of your childhood hopes and dreams?

2. What were some of your childhood disappointments?

3. What was a stellar year in your childhood?

4. What child in your circle of influence needs some extra attention from you?