Like Little Children...

We spent a few days this week visiting family and enjoyed time with our two young grandchildren. They have an astounding amount of energy and wake up each morning with joy and enthusiasm. Our three year old granddaughter is in the "why?" phase. Every statement and explanation given to her gets the response, "Why?" It is fascinating to see how her grasp of abstract concepts is rapidly evolving along with her need to identify the emotions she is feeling and observing in others. 

Our grandson is a "COVID baby", born just before the pandemic hit. Because of the lockdowns, he has not had the opportunities for socialization that his sister enjoyed. He hasn't been in church, or playgroups, or even in stores and malls. I took him in the elevator to our hotel room and he was very unhappy. But he loved the swimming pool and really is a very sociable, happy little boy.

I was reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 18 where he said, 

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

Children who have been treated well have a strong sense of trust in people around them. They are not judgmental or cynical and do not hold grudges. They are willing to explore and try new things. even though they are powerless over the circumstances in their lives. The world is full of new and exciting discoveries!

Child-like awe and joy is often lost as we get older. We become more self-absorbed and compare ourselves to others in either a prideful, or loathing, insecure manner. Fear snuffs out our optimism and joy.

We all need intergenerational contact. I dislike the way people are segregated by age in so many places. Elders have knowledge and life experiences that need to be shared with younger generations. And children have innocence and trust that transcends the cynicism and bitterness that old age can bring. I must share their optimism for the future and not be that unpleasant person who sees everything in life and society going downhill. 

I came across this Instagram post from Beth Moore this week and appreciate the wisdom in her words. Being "like little children" does not mean that we avoid becoming physically, emotionally and spiritually mature. Caring for small children is tiring and parents look forward to them becoming more capable, independent, and emotionally stable. But the child-like traits of joy, discovery, trust, optimism, creativity, acceptance, and forgiveness, must not be lost in the process.