Editorial January 1, 1996 Issue

Valuing children of all ages

Russ Gerber

It was a typical day at work, with one welcome exception. Much-needed help had arrived! The company regularly employed temporary workers, usually student interns from college, to help out during the summer months. This time the temporary worker assigned to our department was unlike any we had previously employed. He could easily have been someone's grandfather.

We found him to be as enthusiastic and helpful as any worker in the department. He jumped at the opportunity to run any errand or do any task that needed doing. In addition to being humble and willing to help, there was something else about this man's contribution to the department that made his brief stay with us so pleasant. It was his childlike innocence. Not in the sense of being inexperienced or naive, but of being uncorrupted. He had a gentle manner even in the most stressful of circumstances; he was interested in the welfare of others, never indifferent to their needs; and he maintained a very hopeful outlook on life. He was always a joy to have around.

Innocence, enthusiasm, humility, are qualities often associated with children. And so when people talk about the need for society to value and protect children and the good they represent, I can't help thinking of my co-worker friend as much as I do of preschool or school-age children. Childlikeness in anyone is of enormous value. Those who are childlike, Christ Jesus said, are "greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:4).

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