Kids Are “Too Small To Ignore”

Miah Hannahs | January 20, 2011 | Comments (0)

(This post was written by Mia Hannahs, Blount Campus fpKIDS Director)

Every now and then , I read a book that touches me so deeply that I feel compelled to read it again and again. That happened to me two years ago, when I picked up a copy of Too Small To Ignore. This book was written by Dr. Wess Stafford in collaboration with Dean Merrill. Wess Stafford is the President and CEO of Compassion International and has witnessed what children in our world experience. He stresses that, “The time has come for a major paradigm shift: Children are too important and too intensely loved by God to be left behind or left to chance. Children belong to all of us and we are compelled to intervene on their behalf. We must invest in children- all across the world.”

If you have a heart for children, I encourage you to read this book. If you do not have a heart for children, I strongly encourage you to read this book. I can guarantee you that it will permanently change the way you see children. Four things will happen when you read Too Small To Ignore:

1. You will see why our focus should be on the children of this world. As overwhelming as it may seem, we really can make a difference “one child at a time”.

2. You will have a new perspective on what poverty really means. We cannot truly make a difference in the war against poverty until we are educated on what it means.

3. You will learn about the “ripple of influence”. You will see how God is using children instead of adults to change the future of those around them.

4. You will cry. You will hear terrible stories of abuse, neglect and extreme conditions. If you allow it, your crying will lead to a stirring in your soul.

Dr. Wess Stafford is a champion for children. And the good news is that we can be champions for children, too. This book is a great place to start. It will not only educate you, but it will give you action steps as to how you can get involved. He states, “There are strategic, persuasive reasons- beyond love and kindness- to invest in children. Today, they may snuggle into your lap, if you let them. But tomorrow you may not have access to them in the corridors of power they might occupy. Now is the time to shape the future.”

Over the next few weeks, I will share some ways that we can make a difference. Faith Promise has many opportunities for you to grow in your compassion towards children- some within the walls of our church, some within our community and some in nations far away. All of these opportunities will change the life of a child… and dramatically change your life as well.

In the meantime, if you have read the book, please submit your thoughts. If you have been involved with children’s ministries and witnessed life changing experiences, please share them here. Let’s be an encouragement to one another, as we fight together to win what the devil seeks to destroy.

Excerpts from: Too Small to Ignore: Why Children Are The Next Big Thing, WaterBrook Press, 2005.