Do I Welcome My Children?

This summer God used a Bible verse to challenge me with the question, “Do I welcome my children?”  I was reading in the book of Mark one morning and Mark 9:37 jumped out at me.  “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”  As I thought about this verse, I knew it was one I wanted to stay in my heart all summer and beyond.

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What is Welcome?

The first thing that struck me was the word welcome.  I thought about the scene that may have happened in front of the disciples.  What would it look like for Jesus to welcome these children?  I imagined him smiling and laughing with them.  Would Jesus roll around on the grass and play with them?  Maybe some children would be hesitant to come to him and he would need to draw them out and show them his love.  Was Jesus playful?

I then thought about what being welcomed would look and feel like for me.  This last year, I have found myself substitute teaching in many new schools.  I can attest that some people are great at welcoming a newcomer and others are not.  The places I felt welcomed made a point to talk to me and get to know me, even though I was only going to be there for a day!  And believe me, I would much rather go to a school that is welcoming!  

All this welcoming talk made me think about if I really welcome my own children when they come to me.  What does my face look like when they come to me?  What does my body language say to them?  If I am honest, far more often then I would like, when my kids come to me, I am in efficiency mode.  I may not be doing anything “mean”, but am I showing warmth and welcoming to my kids?  Probably not.  I’m not saying there is anything wrong with efficiency!  But I never want my kids to feel like an inconvenience or a bother because I am over-valuing efficiency.

We Can Welcome God

If the idea of becoming physically and emotionally more welcoming for my kids wasn’t already enough to think about, the last part of this verse gave me even more to think about!  This verse teaches us that when we welcome a child, we are welcoming Jesus himself!  And not just Jesus, but God the Father too!  Honestly, that feels a little mind blowing to me.  

So much of our world chases after big goals and power, but to know that something as “simple” as welcoming a child actually welcomes God too is encouraging.  Motherhood is full of things that seem to have little value in our world.  We clean up the mess, change the diapers, feed the baby, pick up the toys, and the small tasks go on and on.  Very rarely are these small tasks recognized or even appreciated.  But to know that welcoming my kids, welcomes the Father puts all those things in a new perspective.  Will have a clean diaper make my toddler feel more welcomed?  Then I am welcoming Jesus as I change that diaper!  Will feeding my baby make him feel welcomed into my arms?  Then I am welcoming my heavenly Father too!

How Can I Welcome?

As I have been thinking this summer about how to live this out, I have come to two ideas that have helped me.  First, I want to have a perspective shift for all the moments when my kids come and interrupt me.  I’m not saying there shouldn’t be boundaries and manners taught, but so often, my child is simply coming to me when my mind and body are in the middle of something else.  It comes hard for me, but I am continuing to pray that God would change my heart.  That he would help me see when I am showing irritation from their interruption instead of pleasure.  To give me the words to repair my mistake and to get better at setting aside efficiency and embracing welcome.  

The second way, I have been trying to live this life of welcome out for my family is to see my motherhood tasks as holy invitations.  What a gift to moms these verses in Mark can be!  I am also praying that God would help me transform my perspective on the mundane tasks of motherhood.  The world invites us to gain power and positions.  Motherhood asks us to sacrifice for the good of our children.  Even if you have a job that the world would consider a success, you still come home and have the same household chores to complete.  But knowing that when I am comforting my cranky toddler, or washing the dishes, or doing the laundry, I am creating a welcoming place not only for my child, but I am welcoming Jesus into my house.  What a high honor we have been given!

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