But, there was also a lot of darkness, fear and things that were pretty hard to stomach as an 8-year-old. So when the bible says to have "faith like a child," to me that can easily mean to be afraid, timid, untrusting or ashamed.
It was the biggest relief of my life this weekend, even after being a Christian since high school, to finally FEEL instead of just "know" that God loves me and wants me to trust Him fully. Like kids should with those who take care of them.
My own kids, who are 3 and 6 years old, are pretty secure in their little lives. Mom runs a ministry and dad has a large, loving family, so they get a lot of attention and reassurance that there's a corner of the world that thinks they are just awesome sauce. While many of us lack being told we are loved enough as children, I'm fairly certain my kids' love tanks are not only full but overflowing.
We are so blessed.
I started thinking about the other attributes my children have, and what it truly means to have childlike faith. I've spoken about this before, but for whatever reason God is bringing it up in my head again.
I don't mean that God wants us to be rich, drop dead gorgeous or famous...but have you ever observed the simple happiness of a child? They laugh at the silliest things, get excited about things in life we find mundane (my kids' personal freak-out-with-joy events include the car wash and the claw machine at Denny's). I really believe God wants us to be happy just to be here. I see my daughter putz around the house in a princess dress and cowboy hat, singing at the top of her lungs and then leaning in for a tickle from me....she's happy where she is at. She's in the moment.
Be Compassionate
Kids hate it when people are sad. Have you noticed that? If there's a kid crying within the vicinity of one of mine, they get SO concerned with a look of distress on their face like we would get if someone's head randomly fell off right in front of us. Only they are horrified at someone tripping and falling on the playground, at someone not sharing the swing set, at a baby crying because their pacifier has dropped on the floor.
Kids believe that we are all in this together, so everybody should play fair and help each other so no one is left crying alone.
Be Awestruck
On car rides, my son loves to have me "guess" what he's thinking. The dude is so transparent and predictable, I almost always guess right, and he is AMAZED. He legitimately thinks I have a super power. God knows ALL our thoughts. I am not a big nature girl, but He created mountains, oceans, animals, our hearts....it's kind of incredible and I don't even understand how it all works. Sometimes I'm just in awe that I get to be here.
Be Trusting
My kids never hesitate to ask for help. They don't believe there is any sort of limit on how I'll care for them. Sometimes they come into our bedroom at 3am and vomit on our sleeping heads, and it would never even cross their minds that we might be angered by that. And we're not. We know they can't do everything themselves, and we signed up for the ordeal of having them rely on us 24/7. How much more does God, who created the universe yet calls us children, want us to rely on Him?
Our children are sinners to the brim. Sure, they have big blue eyes and silly little voices, but they also lie to us, argue with us, steal from each other, disobey at times and flood the bathroom after playing circus sharks in the tub after being told not to for the hundredth time.
Still, we love them. How much more does God the Father love us?
Thus, while I know first hand what awful, annoying little beings they can be, I encourage you today to be more like the Sam or Charlotte in your own life. Let the little children lead you....because believe me, they've got this whole love, joy, trust and rely thing down!
PS - Matthew 18. Good stuff.
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