On My Heart - Kids Need the Joys of Childhood

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that unless they become like little children they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. That must have been a real challenge to them – what could Jesus mean? I believe Jesus meant we must become like children in the way a child seems naturally able to trust.

Children innocently live for today and hope for the best tomorrow. Faith and trust seem to be a natural part of their makeup. This is what makes it so natural for children to laugh and play, without the skepticism and harshness that often accompanies the pressures of adult life.

Children expect to have their needs taken care of by their parents. And children have the ability to love and expect to be loved in return.

Sadly, this description of childhood does not fit all children today. Many do not have the assurance that their needs will be met by their parents, especially in the poorer countries in the world. These children are not encouraged to trust or hope, laugh or play. All they have ever known has been a harsh and demanding life.

In other words, these children have never had a real childhood; they have never been allowed to be the kind of children that Jesus is talking about.

But Kids Alive is trying to change all that for every child we care for, whether in our residential homes or in our community outreach programs.

• We are working hard to make sure children don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,
• or where they will sleep tonight.
• We’re making sure they have the health care they need, so they don’t have to fear sickness.
• That they are loved, so they never again need to fear abuse.
• They have toys to play with, and an education so they can learn and have better lives than the ones their parents had.

This is what Kids Alive does best — we provide love and security so children can rediscover their childhood.

Please pray for us, and for the children we serve, that they may have all Jesus would want for them, so they may grow into the people God wants them to be.

Thank you for your continued partnership in this wonderful work,and may God richly bless you.

Alfred Lackey, President