Excerpt from Day 5:

“When God reminded me of this passage, all my immediate responsibilities of the moment grew dim in light of His responsibilities at that moment in time. I mean, Jesus was sustaining the whole world, here on a mission of salvation of all his people, healing people with time sensitive illnesses, imparting spiritual truths, and many more “important” activities at the very moment these children were brought to him. And he STOPPED. He praised their faith. He blessed them. I tear up thinking of the times I have failed to stop and snuggle and bless my children when I have thought myself too busy. But His mercies are new every morning, and I am so thankful he brought this passage to my attention to apply it to my mothering. I pray he does the same in your mothering.”

My “Write it Out” from today in the study guide:

Jesus Blesses the Children

13One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them.

The parents brought their children to Jesus.  

But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

The world tells us children aren’t important.  

14When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples.

Words in other translations:

IRATE.

INDIGNANT.

MUCH DISPLEASED.

FURIOUS.

IRRITATED.

Jesus was hot about this! How dare they scold the parents and not allow the children to

come to Him!

He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

The disciples had it all wrong.  Jesus saw the children not as a distraction from the important things, but AS THE IMPORTANT THINGS.

15I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.

Here is where the term “childlike faith’ comes from.  We can learn so much from them!

16Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Our application:  TAKE YOUR CHILDREN IN YOUR ARMS.  Put down the seemingly important things, and pick up THE IMPORTANT THINGS.

Put your hands on them before they eat their meals at the table, and bless them in the name of Jesus.

Follow His example, and let his Words ring in your ears the next time your heart forgets.

Ask Him to help you see your beautiful children through his eyes.

I pray that this week has been a blessing to you as we’ve #REFOCUSED ON PARENTING!

Tomorrow I will upload the last week of #REFOCUSED–Refocused on Home.

Here’s an encouraging parting word for this week!If you have 3 minutes, watch this video where I “keep it real” about how this day of bible study came about. My kids were driving me bonkers and I couldn’t get anything accomplished. I think I probably yelled that day. And then I had a come to Jesus meeting with Him and myself. That’s when he reminded me of this story:

 Have fun with your kids in Winter storm Jonas!  We are inside snuggling today but tomorrow we may go out and play!  Enjoy your best gifts ever.