September 24

The Children’s Friend

Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them. — Matt 19:13 BSB

Those children must have treasured the memory of Jesus laying His hands on them and blessing them. Sometimes, even the touch of a human hand can leave a lasting impact. One man, late in life, said he could still feel the touch of his mother’s hand as she blessed him and asked him to promise to follow Christ.

Another boy, as a child, was brought to his father’s bedside, where he was “kissed and blessed and given to God.” Throughout his youth, whenever temptation arose, he would remember that moment and say to himself, “I can’t do this—I’m the boy who was kissed, blessed, and given to God.” In times of despair, that memory would return, giving him strength to endure.

Later in life, this boy’s mind gave way under the weight of life’s pressures, and he spent years in an asylum. Even in his moments of clarity, he would write to his daughter, remembering the touch of his father’s hand: “Here I am, shut away and lonely, but I am still the boy who was kissed and blessed and given to God.” That memory sustained him through his darkest moments.

If all who have been consecrated to Christ could remember the touch of His hand on their lives, how pure and true would those lives be! The blessing of Christ isn’t something to forget—it’s a source of strength and grace throughout our entire journey.