“Jesus said, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
Matt. 11:25
Devotion to God isn’t merely following a set of spiritual disciplines. It’s a commitment of LOVE that permeates every facet of our lives. Perhaps this is just one reason children are so endearing to God?
Kids come to Him in open armed wide-eyed expectancy, believing His truths and promises at face value. Why? Because Jesus’ words ring true to what God has already placed in their little hearts, the same truths He’s placed in each human heart. It’s no wonder Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt. 19:13-14)
“O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of Your strength.” Ps. 8:2 “You have taught children and infants to give You praise.” Matt. 21:16
So what happens to the wide-eyed trusting small child in all of us? Life. Life happens. And some of us tragically have had to endure more heartache than average Joe. ~When we meet one of these individuals, one of the first things we recognize is, their joy seems to have been completely sucked out. It’s heartbreaking.
Do you know what Shaun and I do our best to do when we meet someone like this? ~When we find ourselves interacting with a nasty acting person, we’ve consciously trained ourselves to picture this person as an innocent young child full of wonder. (Sometimes this is rather difficult, but we try ;-)) …Then we ask ourselves, what’s his/her story? What must have happened to him/her to cause such distrust and bitterness? …Then we pray something short like this: “Lord, please give me Your eyes into this person. Help me to understand the pain he/she must feel (ugliness has pain at the root). Give me insight into this person’s soul, insights into what is really going on with him/her versus what he/she is “presenting”. Then, please help me to interact with this person how You would.”
Scripture tells us: “You show that you are a letter from Christ…written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Cor. 3:3
Little kids get it. Aside from their built in sin nature (no one has to teach a 2 yr old to say, “MINE”.), youngsters have this uncanny ability to assess and render a trustworthy response, with virtually no political positioning. (That is unless the cookie jar is within eyeshot.) Currently, most every Tuesday Betsy watches 2 little girls, sisters ages 1 and 3. What joy they bring to the Cleary household! Aside from being irresistibly cute, they’re so refreshingly straightforward in their honest assessment of life!
Need a straightforward opinion? Ask a 3 yr old. ~~God bless us this week as we lean on Him to reveal what’s really going on in the hearts and minds of people we’re in relationship with!
Much love,
Shaun and Betsy
