illustration by travis foster

His name was Buster. Even as a preschooler he often roamed unsupervised in our neighborhood. And he frequently found his way to our house. He loved playing with my young son. But sometimes I recoiled from his disruptive behavior. I didnt grasp the potential I had to touch his life.

That was 19 years ago. Several Busters have come and gone. But God has used the lesson of the first one and given me opportunities to love children who seemed unlovable or whose presence inconvenienced me. God calls many of us to reach out with His love to the needy little ones in our lives.

Who are these children?
Some, like Buster, may be neighborhood children. His mom battled depression, and his dad was an absentee. Some of our adopted sons have come from the ballpark. One little boy, named Donald, played baseball on my third sons team for several years. His family situation was chaotic. We had him for overnights, transported him to ball practice, and my husband coached him through All-Stars. Donald even joined us for a family vacation. That meant he also participated in devotions, church and family prayer times.

Lisa spent lots of time with us during her dads difficult days. She heard Bible stories, attended church and learned about Jesus.

I sometimes did after-school babysitting to supplement family income. One of the kids I took care of was Blake. His parents were getting a divorce when he came to us. He played with my boys and often found freedom to release his anger or express his confusion about the changes in his life.

David is my new Buster. Hes busy and into everything when he visits. But he loves to play with my seven-year-old. He is unchurched and sometimes uses forbidden words. But I know I have the opportunity to pray for this little boy and perhaps even reach his parents.

Why me?
Gods Word calls believers to be servants. And Jesus made it clear that He loves children. We are strongly cautioned not to offend a little one. We are also reminded that . . . whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me (Matthew 18:5).

Author Valorie Bell wrestled with this call and shared it in Kool-Aid Moms, a booklet that chronicles her eventual acceptance of the role that God wanted her to play in the lives of the youngsters populating her neighborhood. I believe Jesus sees a great need among Americas children, writes Valorie. He needs His family of believers to extend love to even those little ones who dont bear our family names or resemblances. They were to be welcomed and received into my heart. I was not to leave them on the porch.

What can I do?
Just as each of us has different gifts and resources, our ministry to children also will be different. We reach out from our own place of influence. Kool-Aid Moms relates how God directed Valorie Bell to love and nurture not only one difficult little boy, but to allow her home to be used as a gathering place for children. Working through her resistance to the invasion of privacy and her tendency to love selectively, she writes, I pray for these extra children in my life; I find myself worrying about them. With a certain amount of amazement, I realize Im protective of these children who are not of my womb.

Making a difference in a childs life can be as simple as providing a safe, fun environment in your home. Young children enjoy arts and crafts as well as watching videos. I always try to have Bible story coloring books on hand and Christian kid videos for rainy days when we cant get outside and play.

If you are the driver in your neighborhood carpool, why not play Christian tapes and CDs on the way to school. Or engage your own child in a discussion about the Bible and let your other passengers listen in and participate.

A lot of times older kids and teens just need to feel accepted and loved unconditionally. Make sure your teens friends feel welcome in your home. Invite them to stay for dinner. Encourage them to participate in your familys activitiesinvite them to church.

Involving unchurched neighborhood children in your familys holiday traditions, particularly Christmas, can open doors to sharing the gospel.

Will it matter?
Sometimes parenting our own children seems to be an overwhelming task. To extend care to other youngsters certainly requires supernatural stamina. Could our involvement really make any difference in their lives? Or anyones life? Yes! The choice to reach out has impacted the youngsters in our lives, our own children and, most of all, us.

I was surprised to look up in church one Sunday morning and see Lisa walking toward us with her dad. She had told him that he needed to bring her to church, not drop her off. And here they were!

In spite of numerous problems at home, Donald gave his life to Christ as a youngster. He shared his decision with us at the first opportunity.

My own children have learned great lessons in extending welcome and compassion toward others. One of our sons led three of his elementary classmates to the Lord. In junior high, he now leads devotions before school, challenging his peers to service and faithfulness.

Our oldest son (Busters friend) has worked between college semesters as a summer missionary, discipling children and youth. Our 17-year-old has spent several summers volunteering in a program for special needs children. And my seven-year-old continues to befriend David, while we pray and trust God to work in the life of this little boy and his family.

I cannot undo my early refusal to love and give nurture to Buster, but Im so thankful God is in the business of redeeming our failures. There are other children who will remember our home as a place of welcome.

Valorie Bell anticipates that those who have chosen to move beyond our door, but in our world will one day hear Jesus say, Come you who are blessed by my Father . . . I was parked on your porch looking for love and you brought me in . . . I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25: 40).

Lettie J. Kirkpatrick is a writer living in Cleveland, Tennessee.