Childlike

 

Matthew 18:2-4

² Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. ³ Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

I like kids.  They have a way of thinking that appeals to me.  They put their fallen teeth under the pillow with the full expectation that when they wake up in the morning, there will be a quarter there.  They leave out cookies and milk for Saint Nicholas.  You can’t convince them that Bunnies don’t lay pastel colored eggs.   I mean, you can talk until you are blue in the face and it won’t change what they believe.  Then magically one day, they grow up and feel the full weight of adult eyes.  They know that fallen teeth mean dentures, Saint Nicholas means a sale at Wal-Mart and the Easter Bunny is best served smothered with gravy.  We grow up to our adult realities, but that should not change how we believe in God.  You see, with God, you can still believe for the impossible because he has all power in his hands.  In Him, an old woman can still believe to bear children.  In Him, an old man can still take his mountain.  There is no such thing as being past your prime or being over the hill.  God still holds that magical quality where you life can get amazingly better than the day before.  Childlike faith is that kind of faith that only needs to know that Papa said he would do it.  That settles it.  Childlike belief doesn’t even need a word.  It is the belief that God’s character is sure and he may not do exactly what I was thinking, but he won’t do nothing.  He’s not a dead beat God.  In these regards, I am always amazed at how much relief I can find simply trusting him like I was that little seven year old putting her tooth under the pillow.  I can trust him like the little six year old girl who looked for four leaf clovers or the four year old child who was convinced that one day, I will find the end of the rainbow.