On Tuesday we were at one of the care points and I was holding a little boy on my lap. He was probably 2 years old. He just lay his head down on my chest and snuggled in while we listened to one of the ministry partners teach the Bible lesson. Before too long, the little one’s eyes slowly went closed and his body went limp against mine. It never ceases to amaze me how these children (most of them, anyway) are so willing to be held by a complete stranger. It points to the fact that in this culture, once they are able to walk on their own, children are rarely held, hugged or snuggled. It is just not a value held among parents here. In fact, when we try to hold a child and give them some extra hugs or attention we are often told we are ‘spoiling’ them. If a baby or small child seems tired and wants to nap, they are put on the ground. Even as the little one slept in my arms on Tuesday, one of the gogos pointed to a straw mat nearby as if to say: “Lay him down there!” I just smiled and kept rocking him gently. He seemed too cozy and felt so dear in my arms.
I don’t think adults here are cold or distant, necessarily. I just think that the daily tasks of life take so much time. Fetching fire wood, gathering water, grinding maize, tending cooking pots over open flames, doing laundry in the river…this takes both arms and all of one’s energy! If the child can’t be strapped to the mother’s back with ease then he is expected to walk on his own two feet.
Even so…I believe every child has an inherent desire to be held close, to have their ear pressed in close to the beating heart of a warm body, to feel arms wrapped securely around them.
In Mark 10, people were bringing their children to Jesus just so that He could touch them and bless them. The disciples were deeply troubled by this, and rebuked the parents. As if Jesus was too important or too busy to be bothered with lowly children. Jesus’ own words have even more significance to me as I read them now:
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14b-16)
Some days it feels as though we get very little accomplished here in Swaziland. The nature of this culture is slow and cumbersome at times. Everything takes longer than it seems it should. Well laid plans often have to be placed aside to allow for unexpected interruptions and requests. Our Western mindset of staying on schedule and checking things off the list proves to be futile…even comical here. This can become tiring and frustrating. Unless…
Unless I can always keep the picture of that sweet, innocent little boy on my lap. Unless I can conjure up the feeling of his precious, warm body against mine. Unless I can picture the Father of heaven putting aside His business of holding the universe in His hands to allow me to climb up into His arms and experience sweet rest in His holy presence.
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ~ Psalm 4:8
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28
