PARENTING February 7, 2005 Issue

OCCASION TO GIVE

BY JOSEPHINE PICKUP

MY TWO-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON IS CAPTIVATED by trains. And he's delighted when I listen to him and when I ask him questions about this favorite subject. Recently, when we had no more to say, he simply pressed his cheek against mine and ran off to play—leaving behind the glow of pure love, a gift from God, so natural to children. Precious moments with him and with other children have certainly taught me to love more graciously.

As I see it, conversations with my grandson express the essence of these ideas of Sentinel founder Mary Baker Eddy (even if my grandson might not yet be able to understand all of them!): "Beloved children, the world has need of you,—and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through contact with the world. What grander ambition is there than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to know that your example, more than words, makes morals for mankind!" (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 110). As grandparents, parents, family, and friends, we all face the urgent need to nurture the pure love inherent in children.

Even young people living in difficult circumstances can discover the love they already have within themselves to share. At one time I taught in a school attended by many latchkey children—a number of whom played on the streets late into the evening, and often fell asleep in the classroom. One day a boy shuffled up and pulled out of his pocket a square of chocolate, wrapped in grubby paper. Looking rather embarrassed, he said it was a present for me. He was obviously happy when I took it. This child seldom had chocolate to eat, and parting with it showed great generosity. Yet he was discovering the joy of unselfish giving. I was tempted to say, "Oh no, you have it," but realized that I needed to eat it straightaway and show my appreciation—however unappetizing it looked. That was one of the most precious presents I have ever received.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

SENTINEL WATCH

SAFETY FOR YOUNG LIVES