"Truly I tell you, unless you become as little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Mathew 13:8
When I was in the throws of raising my children, I had mixed thoughts about this verse. While watching them sleep I'd think, "Oh, it's the innocence Jesus was talking about." Or when they would show up with a wildflower in their little hand, I would think of generosity, love of nature, spontaneity...But when they were two and everything became, "MINE! or NO!", I would wonder what He was thinking. As my daughter so succinctly put it, "Anyone who doesn't believe in Original Sin never had a two year old!"
Becoming a grandparent (times four in one year) sort of brought this verse to a whole new level. We have rediscovered the joy of being a child. When our girls are with us, they take joy in the moment-every ball thrown, dog walked, dolly dressed. They lavish us with hugs, kisses and giggles. We are the center of their world for that moment.
When baby Davis is with us, he is the center of our world. Every little gurgle, stretch, yawn is the most import one since Jesus was born! Each little advance in his growing is worth taking note of.
Could it be that He wants to be the center of our world? That He wants to lavish us with hugs? That we are so important that each step we take is celebrated or grieved?
Oh yes, let us become as little children.
