Valerie has always had a soft spot in her heart for children. That’s why most of her professional life has been spent working in areas relating to helping kids in crisis. She’ll often talk about the situations that she’s dealing with on the job and how often the problem lies not with the child but with the grown-ups! Her famous one-liner that she’ll always use is, “it’s a shame that adults can’t be more like children!”
You know, it got me to thinking that in too many cases we grown-ups act a little too much like children! You really notice it over the holidays; grown people acting childishly over who got the nicer present, who didn’t send a card or who gets to sit where for the family meal at Mama’s house! I guess it would be funny if it weren’t so sad. But for many, the love and warmth of family gatherings are forever marred by senseless bickering and selfishness over insignificant things. Jesus wants all of us to develop the attitude of child likeness. That’s why He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” (Mk. 10:14-15)
Listen, I believe that this child like attitude the Lord wants us to have has to do with the humility and receptivity that children so often display. Ever noticed kids playing with one another? Even when they get into a fuss, they’re back playing and laughing with one another five minutes later! Children seem to know how to let the small stuff go. Anytime they begin to hold grudges or harbor lingering resentments, it’s a sure sign that they have learned this behavior from grown-ups!
I pray that each of us will make it our goal to re-discover and re-capture the child like attitudes of humility, exuberance and innocence that our Lord wants us to have! If we will, I know that we will be greatly blessed as we come into His presence with the attitude that is always ready and excited to serve!
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