After singing a few songs and sharing a Bible story with the children in the mountains of Ecuador, we always had some treats to distribute. Anywhere on earth it is wise to have a good strategy in gift-giving to prevent chaos. And there always seems to be a couple of ‘artful dodgers’ who attempt to take advantage.
My most memorable young friend this past summer sat near the front of two long rows as cookies were distributed to about thirty children. As he held out his hands, I went to hand him a bag and Karlyn said, “He already has some, Dad.” The boy looked at me with sad eyes and continued to hold out his hands. “Are you sure, Karlyn?” I asked. She firmly confirmed her answer and I refrained from giving. A few minutes later, knowing his efforts had failed, the kid stuck his hand in his pocket, pulled out the cookies, and started eating.
A few minutes later, with the children still sitting on the steps, we began giving gifts – one to every person. I watched my little friend take a toy, put it in his pocket, and nonchalantly walk to the other end of the row. As he stuck out his hands to receive another toy, I walked over and foiled his plan. He looked a little wounded, but I thought I detected a hint of a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
We closed our time in the village playing outside. We kicked soccer balls, threw Frisbees, played chase, and had a good time. When it was time to leave, I felt a tug on my jacket and noticed the young ’dodger’ at my side. “Dios te bendiga,” he said with a big smile. “God bless you,” are beautiful words in any language.
Who knows, it might have been a similar child who gave his lunch to Andrew to help Jesus feed the multitude. Jesus took five loaves and two fish and blessed thousands, but a little boy played an important part in the story. Don’t ever sell a kid short.
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:8-11
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in My name welcomes Me.’” Matthew 18:1-5