Learning from Dougie
Does God speak through children to show mercy and care for the poor? At what age can young people hear from God?
Most days, as I walk through Hastings town centre, I pass by a homeless person. In my rush to get back to the office, I often don’t think twice about stopping to help or even reaching out. According to Shelter’s recent research, 1 in 79 people in Hastings are considered homeless, so encountering someone in need of support isn’t uncommon.
However, one Saturday morning, after a men's breakfast with others from King’s 1066 in Hastings town, I felt something different. I was drawn to a homeless man and felt a strong urge to do something. But I hesitated. I had my two-year-old son, Dougie, with me, and I didn’t have any cash on hand.
I had almost made up my mind to just go home when Dougie tapped me on the shoulder and pointed directly at the man. It was a clear, intentional gesture, and there was no apparent reason for it. This was out of character for Dougie, who typically doesn’t point at strangers.
At that moment, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit urging me to be generous. I checked my wallet and found a couple of pounds. We walked over to the man, gave him the money, wished him a good day, and Dougie waved at him. It was through Dougie that God spoke to me, enabling us to be a blessing to that man.
So, does God show the love of our Heavenly Father to those in need through children? I am convinced that He can and does. In Luke 18:16, Jesus says:
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Children often seem to grasp the heart of God more readily than adults. As we age, life’s challenges and distractions can cloud our view of God’s heart. Children often have a response which is more reflective of our Heavenly Father.
Kate Thurston, who oversees Children and Family at King’s 1066, was asked about the importance of engaging children in social action from an early age. She said:
“In my experience as a parent, grandparent and children’s team leader, I see children have a natural compassion and empathy towards those who are in need.
A child’s response to a sad, lonely, homeless person is generally like that of Jesus, in Matthew 9:36, one of pure, compassionate motives and a desire to reach out and help.
Their responses are not tinged with the questions and prejudices that adults are hampered by and just as Jesus encouraged us to reach out the least, the last and the lost, so too can we explain his heart to our children.
There are plenty of opportunities for parents and carers to safely model social action to the next generation on our local streets and in the many projects that exist in our churches and communities.”
One of the amazing aspects of Jubilee+ is the range of resources they create to help people of all ages engage in social action.
They’ve developed Overflow, an excellent resource for engaging 5 to 11-year-olds in understanding God’s heart for the vulnerable. Children can learn valuable lessons about God’s love for those on the fringes while having fun with simple items like toilet rolls, ice cubes, or crisps.
This effort is complemented by the Follow course for adults. Natalie Williams, CEO of Jubilee+, said:
“The reason we put together our adult discipleship course, Follow, is because when I read Overflow, I realized adults probably needed it more than children!”
Be sure to check out both of these resources here.
Do we want to see God use children—even those under 4 years old—to advance His kingdom, share the good news, and make a difference in the lives of those in need? Do we want to grow in our own love for the disadvantaged and vulnerable?
Through Dougie, I’ve learned that God wants to open our eyes to those around us and take a moment to share the love of Jesus, whether through words or actions.
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Written by Dan Glover (King's Church 1066) for the Jubilee+ blog
