As I write this story our granddaughter is sleeping in the other room. All is quiet. For now. She is all tired out from teaching her grandfather life lessons.
Things were different yesterday when she was running all over of yard, exploring. She talked and giggled and sang little songs as she went. That's why I paid particular attention to her when she ran over to a tree stump, stood on it, and posed, motionless, like she was a tree. Kids are wonderful examples of how our relationships should be. Innocent, doubtless, pure, happy, wonder-filled and thoughtful.
Do we approach our relationships in ways like a child? Are our relationships pure with no ulterior motives? Are we 100% committed to each relationship we have? Or do we doubt and question when someone disagrees with us or rebukes us in some way?
I looked at the picture of my granddaughter again. Was she really pretending to be a tree? Or was she forming the shape of a cross? Does our relationship with Jesus reflect the love of life that a child has? And, speaking of Jesus, shouldn't we be making sacrifices in order to make our earthly relationships last?
One of our main problems as adults has been that we grew up. We attended seminars, Bible studies, and leadership summits. All in an effort to grow in our faith. But really, Jesus wants us to have the faith of a little child. Simple, pure, unquestioning.
Children can be all over the map when it comes to their behavior. But they also can have incredible moments when they become the teachers. The question facing us adults is, are we willing to learn from our children?
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “’From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?" - Matthew 21:16
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