Searching for the Red Bucket

"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these"- Matthew 19:14 (NIV).

My grandson, Brantley, just turned four-years old, which means he is too old now for the nursery and ready to attend the children's sermon in the sanctuary. The children's sermon is done down front, on the steps leading up to the podium, in full sight of the congregation. I had spoken to the children's minister, Cameron, before church and told him about Brantley and our anxiety over this being his first time. At the appropriate time, I took Brantley down and seated him with the other children. He waved to us moments later, which let us know he knew where we were and he seemed to be content seated with the other children. His mother and I watched holding our breath. Cameron had an activity where four red buckets were hidden throughout the front of the sanctuary. He called on three children to go search for the red buckets and then asked if there was a Brantley in the group. Brantley jumped up and climbed down through the other children to Cameron. My heart almost stopped beating. Brantley looked around, trying to decide where to go, while my mind whirled; but, Cameron's wife got up and took Brantley by the hand, guiding him to a "good" spot to search. He ran back triumphantly to Cameron with the red bucket held high over his head. The sad truth is, if I had known before hand, I probably would have kept Brantley with us, fearful of creating a scene...or causing embarrassment. Cameron and his wife helped lead Brantley, not only to look in a "good" spot for the red bucket, but they began the process of leading him to find Jesus. It makes me wonder how many times I have held myself and others back in an attempt to not make a scene or cause embarrassment. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Let's hold our red buckets triumphantly over our heads and run to Jesus.