Matthew 19:13-15

Little Children
I have learned more about God in the three years since my son was born than in my whole life. I have a clear picture of my relationship with my Heavenly Father now that I am a father myself.

One day as my son was learning to walk I had a revelation. I was sitting in our living room on the couch and my son was stumbling and swaying back and forth throughout the room. He had a big grin on his face as he continued to gain more confidence in his abilities. He tentatively wandered into the dining room and out of my line of sight. I knew just where he was and that he was in no danger. All of a sudden he realized that he could no longer see me and he started to panic and cry. All I had to do was lean forward so he could see me and remind him that I was close by. His panic subsided, the crying stopped, and he continued on his way.

How many of us does this describe? We love being in the presence of our Father. We go to church on Sunday and worship Him. Then we start to go about our business and beginning on Monday morning we start to forget about Him. We may be gaining more confidence in our walking abilities and we may take our eyes off of where our Father is. Before we know it we have gotten ourselves lost or in over our head and we begin to cry for our Father. He leans down and reminds us of how close He is and everything is alright again.

Another time my son and I were working on the rules and regulations that are in place in my home (There are only 5 basic rules for those of you who think I am a militant father of a 2 year old). I could see that he understood them and we were making some real progress. All of a sudden he broke one of the rules and I had to correct him. I patiently and gently corrected him and made sure he understood what he did wrong and then WE MOVED ON.

Another time my son was playing in the bathtub when he fell down. I gently reached down and picked him up and placed him back on his feet. It was at this moment when I pictured God doing these same things for us all the time. We are His little children and I think that at times we must seem like little toddlers to Him; so full of potential but constantly testing our boundaries and falling down and making mistakes. He lovingly picks us up, reminds us who He is and where He is, He corrects us and then puts it behind Him.

I can glance at my son and my heart wells up with pride and love for him. I would do everything and anything for him to keep him safe and growing in the right direction. I love spending time with him each and every day. If my finite mind and human emotions can feel this way imagine how much more an infinite and supernatural God feels about His children.

Now imagine my son spending one day a week with me. Imagine he talks with me for 5 minutes a day just before he falls asleep. How in the world can our relationship grow? How can he begin to know what is important to me? What if he constantly ignores my household rules and does what he wants do to? What if at 2 years old he starts to get cocky and think he knows better than me? What if at 2 he thinks he can get behind the wheel of a car and drive (he does and he tries)? Would I let him?

Jesus says that the Kingdom belongs to those who, like little children, are prepared to receive the kingdom as a great gift that God has given. Can we be open and receptive like a child towards God? Can we receive what He has for us as something that can’t be achieved on our own doing? Jesus is saying that the Kingdom can be entered by those who know they are helpless and without anything to bring to the equation. Can we have total trust and dependence, frank openness, and complete sincerity with Jesus?

Have a great day and may God be with you.