by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is…) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or www.patlambchristianauthor.com
Train up a Child…
What Does Your Heart Desire?
Have you ever watched a group of children when one of them happened to take a tumble? Did you notice how the other children reacted? I have been in such a situation many times and wondered why other children would laugh when someone fell down. Sometimes there would be a caring person in the group, usually an adult, who would go to the child to see if he/she were hurt. It seems strange that people would laugh at potential harm. This is especially strange considering the fact that most children fall down at some time or another and probably experience the same embarrassment and hurt. Why, then, are children not more concerned about the welfare of others instead of laughing?
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth,” we read in the 6th verse of the 13thchapter I Corinthians. In the 5th verse of the same chapter, we read, referring to love, “It is not rude…” One test as to whether we have love in our hearts is whether we enjoy seeing others have trouble. If we really love others, we will desire the best for them. Many children have not yet learned the true meaning of love or even that we are supposed to love others. Children often respond according to natural inclinations rather than acceptable behaviors.
Adults who have not yet learned to love as they should will be heard to say things like, “Aha, he finally got what was coming to him!” or “He deserved that! I’m glad to see that it happened!” Both comments and other similar comments indicate a heart with the desire for hurt.
On the other hand, people who are sad when someone “gets what is coming to them” are people whose heart desires good. They feel sorry for people who suffer even if they did seem to cause their own trouble. A heart of love wishes that the bad things were not done in the first place and want no one to have to suffer.
Is it funny to see someone stumbling around drunk? Is it funny when a family breaks up because of adultery? We might hear someone laugh and say, “I knew that marriage wouldn’t last!” Should we laugh and make fun when others believe and worship differently from us? Real love finds no humor in these situations. Rather, a person who loves others would be sad to hear or see someone do something wrong and would respect the beliefs of others.
Children should be reprimanded for laughing when someone gets hurt. Adults need to set a good example before children of compassion for those who are having troubles.
Love is so very different from the picture painted by society. Society would have us believe that love is finding someone who pleases us. Love is really a matter of putting others before ourselves and trying to please them. This is the meaning of love that should be taught to children.