Kids R Us.

Crumbs gathered on the floor as the boys crowded together in the kitchen eating their peanut butter crackers, the dog frantically licking them up. “How come we don’t have youth group everyday, Miss Andra?” I almost spit out the gulp of water I still had in my mouth. “What?” I asked. “We should have youth group everyday,” Marcus said louder than the first time. I finished my water and laughed at what they just said, “Because, you kids would drive me crazy!” The boys smirked at my typical response and ran back upstairs to continue a heated Mario Kart race.
A week hadn’t even passed since the last youth group, didn’t they remember? It’s perplexing because I am pretty sure I spent a good portion of youth group giving this same group of boys a lengthy talk on what “respect” is and what it should look like. I was not happy, and neither were they. Yet, there they were standing in my kitchen asking me why we didn’t have youth group every day of the week.

The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 14

Until about 5 seconds ago, I’ve always viewed this verse to be about the innocence of children. But what if it is so much more than that? Picture it: clumsy, scuffed up, probably somewhat smelly, and loud children crawling all over Jesus. Like the boys standing in the kitchen, mouths full, crumbs dropping to the floor, and smiles on their faces…The boys full of excitement about next week, different games, and youth leaders who always come back despite the casualties of the week before…Like us standing before Jesus excited, dirty, clumsy, and expectant of His love and acceptance, regardless of our actions the week before…day before…seconds before. And we KNOW that he will be there.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not in any way comparing the youth staff to Jesus, but somehow, someway, understanding people helps me understand the mystery of Jesus. Jesus-a King, a celebrity, a Savior-with dusty children crawling into his lap holds open his arms and welcomes me in.