My son, Elias, is 14-months and at that age where curiosity abounds. He is into EVERYTHING. As he explores, you can’t miss that look of discovery. mischief, and wonder on his face.
As he grows, I find myself continuing to have a better understanding of what Jesus meant in the story of him and the children (Luke 18:15-17):
People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Elias receives everything with hope and joy. If I give him ball, he shrieks with delight, even though he has played with it a million times. If my husband Matthew says, “Where’s Mommy?” and Elias spins to find me, hope sparkling in his eyes.
I want to receive the kingdom of God like that, shrieking in delight, with hopeful eyes sparkling.
But, usually, I don’t.
Instead I receive God as I check him off my to do list, a quick prayer as I am thinking about a dozen other responsibilities.
Elias puts a lot of hope in me as his mommy. I feed him, change him, clothe him, hold him, love him. He knows no other way and he does not worry.
This parallels Gods provision for us. In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus reminds us not to worry.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
As Elias gets older, he will lose his childlike dependence on me. My prayer is that he will grow to love the Lord and put his hope and trust in Him.
Why do I find myself asserting my independence from God?
Why can’t I depend on the Lord that way a child depends on his mother?
Do you ever feel the same way?
This fall, my prayer is that I will come to the Father, seeking childlike hope and joy.
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It is amazing how it seems as if our children are teaching and taking care of us instead of the other way around.
smooches,
Larie
Love it! I had a day like that yesterday and someone said to me, “Wow what are you so happy about today?” 🙂 my response, “grace”
Love it Jessica! So true! I want childlike hope and joy too – all the days of my life!
Thanks, Jessica! Such a cutie you’ve got there!
Yeah, watching my 6 month baby and 3 yr toddler enjoy life everyday without worry, I cannot help but long to grow in my trust of God. Everyday becomes a new adventure if I can be like a child before God.
Thanks Jessica! Great parallel 🙂
That was beautiful. Thank you.
This is such a lovely analogy Jessica. I am a Grandmother now, but I remember those days of trusting little ones. I have found it to be the most important lesson the Lord has ever taught me – total surrender and complete trust in Him. In all honesty, it has been a life-long lesson. I sometimes have to go over the same territory again and again, but when I really do trust completely He gives me such a sense of peace. As you’ve said, like a little child simply trusting in the care of a loving parent.
Such a great observation… I can honestly say I trust Him, but I can’t honestly say that I have “hope sparkling in my eyes.” That was such a great visual, and I am going to be thinking of it often…
I know exactly what you are talking about and it’s one of the things I am currently struggling with. This is just what I needed tonight.
Wow such a simple truth but such a profound difference if we apply this simple truth to my life! Thank you for that wonderful story! Thanks for reminding me I am simply a child of God and can rest all in Him.Thank you Jesus
I do so relate with this post and there are times when I need to reignite that childlike hope. Beautifully written!
Such a wonderful post Jessica. It is a daily prayer of mine to trust like a child. Some days I listen to the yearnings of my heart spending more time with The Father and other days I run away and throw a tantrum about how unfair life is. Maybe one day…I’ll get it right all the time.
Blessings and Grace to you this day.