The Boy at the Gate

“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” — Matthew 18:5

While Amanda was living in Africa, two little boys used to come round to visit her. One of them was named Bob. His skin was soft and dark, and he had the brightest smile. Amanda often saved bits of food for the boys, and they were always so pleased. She grew to love them very much.

One day Bob’s father, Jack, came to Amanda. He told her, sadly, that he himself had never learned about God. “I do not want my little boy to grow up without knowing God, the way I did,” he said. “Please, will you take him and teach him?”

Amanda wanted to help. But she was often weak and ill with fever, and she had very little money. “How could I care for a child?” she wondered. So she took the question to God in prayer.

And God gently answered her heart: “You do what you can, and where you leave off, God will raise up somebody else to do the rest.”

“That is fair,” Amanda said. “I will trust the Lord and take the child, and do the best I can.” So little Bob became her very own boy, to raise and to love.

God does not ask you to do everything all by yourself. He only asks you to do what you can, and then to trust Him with the rest. When you welcome and help a child, Jesus says it is just like welcoming Him.

Dear God, help me to do the good I can, and to trust You with what I cannot. Thank You for loving children so much. Amen.