January 2026 Reflections From Dave's Corner Of The Word

Help A Person To “Become As Little Children”

Mat 18:1-6  “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.   Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.   And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

 I used to think that the poor or homeless were just people who made poor decisions.  Certainly they could just change their thought habits and change!  But over the years, I see that their parents (far more times than not) have hurt them or as the Scripture says, “shall offend one of these little ones”.  Rarely do I find a guest who has not been hurt by a loved one.  So much so that, in those cases, I suspect the guest might be protecting a loved one perpetrator.  It’s amazing that a child, or adult child, will be bitter, and yet cover for the one that hurt them so.

 This should be a wake-up call for each of us: our words and actions can impact a child in serious ways.  A harsh or angry response can wound a child’s spirit and bring about hurt and bitterness that can lead to years of drug use and self-destruction if not addressed.  It’s easy for us to say, “Don’t hurt yourself”, but for those hurting, they are devastated at the words of a loved one who has hurt them so.  As parents or loved ones, we need to keep a keen eye out for a wounded spirit in our children or close loved ones.  Don’t let it be ignored and allowed to grow and fester; address it right away with a humble and repentant spirit.  Those that have been hurt want to forgive and believe, but they can lose hope if we don’t love them and show them that they are of great value.

 I would encourage keeping a close eye out for your children.  We live in a day and age where sexual sins abound.  Some may think our family kept overly tight boundaries by avoiding sleep overs and keeping our children within certain boundaries we felt were safe.  A perpetrator can cause a tremendous amount of harm in a short period of time if the right window opens up for them.  Over my years of counseling, you might be surprised at how many children have been violated by a family member or close family friend.  Similarly, I believe you would be surprised at how seriously they were hurt and how that threw them off of the “normal” childhood path they were on.  Sexual violations are so personal, destructive as well as opening up abnormal sexual curiosities and desires at young ages.  I’m convinced that the hurts and effects of these sexual sins go well beyond my understanding, and while I have attempted to help multitudes work through these issues, I’m always pleading with the LORD for wisdom as I do.

 These issues are an incredible heart breaker, more so for the fact that those who have been wounded pay a tremendous price for a perpetrator’s wicked pleasure.  Then, after the initial abuse, they are often set on a trajectory for a self-destructive life.  This truth should be a sobering thought for all of us.  It should remind us how critically important it is for us to value and protect all children and people of any age, as well as seeking justice for those who have been harmed.   “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Reading this passage, you can see the LORD is gravely serious about this command.

 Please take this matter serious in every way.  Care for your children, care for your loved ones.  Be attentive to the signs of a wounded spirit; it’s wounded for a reason.  Guard your heart, and guard their hearts.  Minister to the hurting and look upon them as the Lord does, as a child in need of your greatest and most tender love.  At the moment and time when they seem the most challenging to love, draw close.  Purpose to get past the dysfunction and seek out the hurts that put them in that place.  Then love on them, and wash them with the Word of the Lord- give them the love they long for and the hope they lack, but so desire.  The evil one seeks to destroy the ones that God loves, so we must be careful to see beyond their hurt and “receive one such little child in His name” and, in doing so, we receive Jesus Himself!  There is no greater investment of your efforts! 

Amen?  Amen!  Dave