My little grandson Owen has a way about him that commands attention. He’s not naughty. He’s just cute. For instance, his favorite Christmas song is “Jingle Bell Rock.” With his deep voice and adorable speech, he orders it up. “Awexa, play jingle bell wock.” Alexa obeys; Owen sings right along and—yes—he rocks.

Jesus showed us how to respond to little boys like Owen. He showed us how to value all children. He took them in his arms and blessed them (Mark 10:16). That can be our prayer as parents and grandparents: “Lord Jesus, please take our little ones in your arms and bless them.”

This world will never be a perfect place. But I pray it can be a better place for Owen. Maybe in years gone by I wasn’t paying attention, but I don’t remember the threat level for children being as high as it seems now. It’s not just crossing the street that puts kids at risk, but danger enters our homes in too many ways. The survival skills children are forced to learn at an early age shatter their innocence and breed anxiety in their tender souls. All the noise they hear and images they see frighten them. And there is nothing they can do about it. But we can. And we must.

A starting point is placing them regularly in the arms of Jesus. Bringing his love and teachings into our homes is the blessing they need now more than ever.