That afternoon

It could have been another forgettable day, but things took a completely different turn in the afternoon and his life was no longer the same.

He was an old man now, and to this day, he remembered each and every moment as if it took place only yesterday. He must have been eleven or twelve: full of curiosity that often embarrassed the grown-ups in his neighbourhood. Even though he was constantly chided for being either too impetuous or just plain irresponsible, he was certain that he wasn’t mischievous at all.

But I am only a child, he would tell his parents, you can’t expect me to be as boring as a grown up. But such remarks only made things worse and his bottom would eventually bear the brunt of his parents’ annoyance.

However, that afternoon, news came that Jesus Christ was visiting their little town. His parents felt that if anyone could knock sense into his head it would have to be Jesus. And so they decided to take him along to Jesus so that the little boy could be blessed in the presence of such a great Man.

But as soon as they reached the place where Jesus was, they began to be shooed away. This is no place for children, someone was shouting, just get them out of here.

He remembered feeling deeply hurt for being treated this way, but before he could even react a hand touched his shoulders. He turned around and found himself being lifted and carried to a bench. And there Jesus placed him on his lap and said to the others, “Let the children come to me because God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.”

Those words and what Jesus did changed him because for the first time in his life he felt… accepted.