Some of the sweetest religious art depicts winged angels hovering over children walking or sleeping in their little beds. Those images are not just pious fiction or romantic projections, as it were, from the imaginations of anxious parents. They represent an important truth about God’s care for little ones whom he thinks belong to him too. When our children were baptized, God put his claim on them and assumed the responsibility and obligations of Fatherhood.

Angels do God’s bidding for the care and protection of all his believers. But they have a special role in the lives of children (a role that we would love to know a lot more about). Jesus just hinted at this mighty comfort for every believing parent: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). Although Jesus’ main point was for grown-ups to treat children with respect, sharp-eyed parents quickly spot an important word in Jesus’ remark. That word is their. Yes, our kids apparently have their own protecting angels.

How wonderful of Jesus to show that we have help in our parenting. The world is full of dangers that threaten us all but especially our little ones—disease, injury, violent people, Satan, and death stalk children too. How good it is to know that their own angels have to appear before God personally for reporting and instructions.