Be Like a Child

Unless they come to me as a little child,

has been on my mind a lot lately….

Adult life can be difficult.

It can encourage us to forget the childlike part of our authentic self or who God created us to be.

Children are curious, adventurous, playful, trusting and imaginative. With these qualities, they embrace life's endless possibilities. A child may see a colorful construction paper flower suspended from a ceiling and imagine being a butterfly that flutters around until it lands on that flower. In that moment, they are that butterfly, and they are on that flower. All of us need to regain our childlike lightheartedness, which enables us to hold fast to our confidence in God to guide and protect us as a loving parent would. While human parents are fallible, our loving creator does not fail. God is love and before we were born, He designed our life map and when followed, it leads us to opportunities to serve and influence those around us in love with our unique gifts.

Life can be complicated.

Responsibilities, relationships, jobs, bills to pay and decisions to make affect our present and future.

The culture we live in causes us to gradually lay aside our playfulness. We begin to desire to someday be in charge. Before we know it that reality is facing us and we soon long for less responsibility and more fun. One moment we are playing, loving, and trusting those around us in childhood and the next we have moved into adulthood. And if we are not careful, we will have lost the art of being childlike.

 Statements that help me remember to trust and be childlike:

 "....Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 NKJV

 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26

God takes care of us. We need to let Him do that. He oversees our days. When we resist opportunities that open before us or fight to open our own opportunities along the pathway of life, it slows down the blessings of God.

 A little child fed ten thousand people by hearing of a need and meeting it. He gave the small amount he had and God used it to work a miracle. He was willing to give his food and trusted Jesus, honored Jesus and more than likely, eagerly gave of what he had. Jesus provided more than enough. Everybody ate their fill and were satisfied.

God multiplies. He gives us what we need for the next moment whether it be words, food or money, for example. I challenge us all to search our hearts to discover how we can be more like a little child.

Listen and do as He says, give when He requests and watch the miracles happen.