Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

 

And He said:  “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18: 3-4 (NIV)

 

The best that I can recall how their Daddy related the story to me, was that my two Granddaughters, Hannah and Ellie Kate, were playing with their American Girl dolls at their home one recent afternoon.  Their Mimi had ordered some new clothing for the dolls which had just arrived and they—as they often did—were trying it on their “children.”

In that time together they were switching outfits between their dolls, fixing the dolls’ hair, remaking the doll sleeping locations in the corners of their rooms, and generally playing make believe—or was it real? 

In the context of that setting, they started talking about jobs, and asked each other “What would be your dream job?”

Hannah reflected on the question for a moment, and then, to no one’s surprise who heard later what she said, offered:

“Veterinarian!”

Ellie Kate smiled—she loves animals too—and without skipping a beat said:

“Good.  Or, an Angel!”

What is it we do to our little children to dampen such fertile imagination, fervent wonder, and unbridled enthusiasm for anything and everything in—and that which should be in—life?  What do we adults do to make that go away?  No, seriously, if we hear such coming from an adult we would call them crazy or irresponsible.

Maybe we’re too serious around God’s little children and don’t smile enough.  Or worse, maybe we take ourselves too seriously thinking we’re being wise and mature—when all we’re really being is dull. 

We should make a rule that no adult (or person of any age who reminds us of an adult) whose smile looks like it was formed from the action of sucking on a dill pickle can get within any “happiness zone” that children create.  And such a rule would apply whether they are parents or not—at least until they gain a bit of the Christ-like maturity depicted in the scripture above.

It’s no wonder my heart jumps for joy when I know that our two precious Granddaughters are coming around to the house.  It’s no wonder Mimi gets the cookie-making stuff out, the paints and easel comes out in “our” upstairs office, and even our Basset hound Lily senses the pending excitement.  Those precious little girls return us to where God wants us to be every day—to His land of wonder, joy and excitement which He specifically created for all of us!  Listen to it again—

 

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

 

May I suggest that in this season of reflection and preparation as we approach afresh and anew the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday, that we think about that statement with all the seriousness it implies and stop wasting the days He has given us—to boring maturity and joylessness.

“Good.  Or, an Angel!”

And why not!  Count me in, please.

 

                                                                        In His Name—Scott

 

 

Copyright 2010.  Scott L. Whitaker.  All rights reserved.