Like a little child

(Please forgive me for not getting this posted yesterday, but I was super busy enjoying my grandbabies and forgot!)

The older I get, the more I understand.

My children taught me so many lessons about trust, obedience, faith, and the lack of any or all of these.

Now, I’m learning from my grandchildren.

It’s a different walk, because I don’t see them every day.

There’s also the change in perspective and the difference in me.

Of course, I’m also older and have experienced life longer.

With all these differences, the lessons are no less profound.

I was recently struck by how easily a small child can become frightened.

An infant, especially, can be filled with fear just over something unexpected.

How similar I am.

Just an unexpected break in our routine can sometimes cause me to be afraid.

Trying something new, is an area I fight being fearful of.

But these are not the areas where God wants me to be child-like.

Matthew 18:3-4NKJV — and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus was talking about faith.

Interestingly, to have that child-like faith means to trust.

A young child is totally dependent upon their parents for everything, from food to shelter to security and love.

Because their parents love them, they find security in that relationship.

They eagerly run to their parents if separated for a time or in need.

They cling to them with all their might.

They are overjoyed when their parents simply give them time and attention.

Which is exactly what each one of us can have in our Heavenly Father.

He’s proven Himself loving, trustworthy, able, and fully engaged in seeking a relationship with each one of us, individually.

He’s calling each one of us to trust Him, to realize we are completely dependent upon Him, and to find security and perfect love in our relationship with Him.

Once, we repent and turn from our sins, He restores us, giving us a heart of flesh, washed clean by His blood. Eze. 11:19

Child-like faith is found in the heart and is in itself a testimony to the wonders of God and His glorious works.

From our beginning, mankind has wanted to do life on our own, without God’s direction and leading, yet we find so much more when we completely surrender, and look with adoration to our Heavenly Father, Maker of heaven and earth.

Matthew 19:14 NKJV — But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for showing us what our relationship with You should be like by giving us little children. Lord, thank You for creating us, loving us, and saving us from sin. Your truth is amazing. Your blessings are incredible. Please continue to teach me how to have child-like faith and how to pass on these truths to those around me. Lord, thank You for Your patience with me as I learn to be humble and to trust You through all things. Lord, thank You for Your wisdom which teaches me not to rly upon myself and my short-sighted understanding, but rather to turn to You and cling to Your truths and be guided by Your Word. Thank You, Jesus for so many blessings. I love You. Amen.

Through the heart of the young

She’d been looking worried, but I was on the phone with my husband and simply walked past her to continue our conversation out of earshot.

Yet, something had changed by the time I returned to the main part of the house, for she was busy writing.

The paper was handed to me just before bedtime and as much as I wanted to read it, I felt it would be best waiting till morning.

When I read her writing, I was surprised.

I hadn’t realized that my phone conversation about the latest news would engender such fear in her heart.

The first lines spoke clearly of the deep emotion these days of world news are bringing.

As I continued to read I chastised myself for not being more careful with my speech, and for not checking back with her to see how she was processing all that she is hearing and seeing.

At 19, she’s too young to remember many of the circumstances of world affairs, but she’s been taught history and she’s not ignorant of the abilities of humanity to harm one another.

Then, I read:

“I sat at the table, trying to keep from being afraid, that’s when my amazing little brother walked in, set his phone on the table and pushed play on a video.”

“I quickly recognized the Piano Guys playing the Peanuts theme song… Dancing to this song has become something fun we do ever since I moved back from Grandma’s.”

“Laughing, I slowly joined him. My heavy heart started to lighten…The next song he played was by Mercy Me, Greater.”

“At that moment, I felt peace again. I was reminded that I don’t ever need to be afraid.”

“While the world may be falling apart around me, all I have to do is trust Jesus and dance in worship before Him.”

All my self condemnation evaporated.

I praise God for His blessings of truth which even the young can find comfort in.

As I refolded the paper, my heart was reminded of scripture.

Matthew 21:16 NKJV — and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”

Let each of us learn from the simply beautiful faith of the young: all we have to do is trust God and praise Him.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your truth. Thank You that we can find courage, security, and faith in Your Word and Your promises. Lord Jesus, thank You that this world is not our forever home, but we have a much better one yet to come. Thank You for the simple and beautiful faith of the young. Thank You for the trust exampled to us by a small child clinging to their loving Daddy. Lord, thank You for children. Please continue to teach us how to have child-like faith. As my daughter said, may we walk in the truth, trusting and praising You. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.