Children's Sabbath Reflections

I first began observing the Children's Defense Fund "Children's Sabbath" in 1994. That year I worked with other pastors in the Sumner, WA area on an event to call attention to stopping violence against children. We hosted a rally and prayer vigil in a city park. In those days my own children were in elementary school and I suppose that to many folks I was just being a concerned mother. Now my children are grown - almost finished with college and graduate school. So some would say that I can now go on to other concerns - widen my interests so to speak. However, I find myself more drawn to the plight of children than ever. My heart grieves for the children on my community, our nation, and our world who go to bed hungry, who know only violence and war, who have no loving community to surround them.
This week we return to very familiar words in the Gospel of Matthew for our reflection on the children's sabbath, the plight of children and John Wesley's general rules. In Matthew 19:13-22 Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." What if this is a parable? What if Jesus is saying the kingdom of heaven is like a little child?
In keeping with those questions, I have been observing the children around me to see what glimpses of the realm of God that they can give us. What about the children in your life? How do you see the realm of God being lived out in them?
Now I am also realistic enough to know that children can also represent the worse of humanity as well. We must also ask ourselves how can we better model for our children and the children of the world what it means to do no harm, do good and stay in love with God. What are some of your practices that could help our children?