Many of my close friends are doting fathers who enjoy the responsibility of raising their little children. Their stories have made my wife and me laugh and learn. They make me want to have children of my own, too. Although I must add, we are in no hurry; we will wait for God’s time. We are accustomed to hearing parents advise their children, rebuke, correct, teach and training them. However, the truth is that we, as adults, can also learn a thing or two from them!
It is no wonder then that Jesus said this in Mathew 18:2-4, “And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Here are a few thoughts for us to humble ourselves with:
A Child’s Boldness
Recently, a pastor was reminded of an incident that took place while he worked in the army. A high ranking officer was talking to his subordinates and giving out orders. There was a board outside that said: ‘SILENCE’ and everyone obliged.
The whole group remained still in complete silence as he continued giving orders. Suddenly, they were disturbed by the sound of noisy footsteps. Everyone waited with bated breath to see who it was. As they imagined that whoever this person is, was going to have to pay dearly for this grave misconduct! The door was knocked opened and to everyone’s surprise, there stood a little girl. She walked in, like an officer, not caring for anyone around, straight to the platform and hugged the officer, incidentally her daddy!
Think about it – isn’t this kind of boldness that God expects from us? Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Let us know this fact that our Father loves us and we have been adopted by Him that we can call Him Abba Father and every time we call Him, He hears us!
PONDER: Why then do you not run to Him? Is there any sin, guilt or unbelief that has held you down? Let us run and go to the Father.
A Child’s Faith
One of my team members has a four year old son named Noah. Once his mom, Mary was lying on her bed with a severe headache, he was only two years old at that time. He asked her why she was crying, she said that she had tears in her eyes as she had a very bad ache in her head and she went on to ask if he would pray for her. He laid hands on her and asked the Father in heaven to heal his mamma, and lo and behold as soon as his prayer was over the headache left her. What made that healing happen was his pure undiluted faith.
PONDER: Can it be that we are so filled with the ways and patterns of this world that our faith is tarnished by it? Can it be that instead of having sharp eyes of faith we look to the workings of the world and believe the story that it tells us? – “Oh, just pop in a pain killer, your headache will be gone.”
A Child’s Trust
I remember when I was in my 5th Standard; I had encountered some bullies from my school. They threatened to take me down after school. I still remember laughing at those guys telling them to try their best. Just as the last bell rang, I grabbed my bag and took off. I pushed everyone who came in my way and ran. These three guys chased me. They thought they would outrun me and get even with me. What they did not know was where I was headed to. It was usual for my dad or mom to come to pick both my sister and me. I ran to my dad as soon as I caught sight of him. Once I got there, I boldly stood there facing those bullies daring them to touch me. All I knew as a child was, that as long as my Dad was behind me, none of them could lay a finger at me.
Can we, no matter what, trust Jesus? Psalms 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.“
PONDER:Is there some area that you have been struggling with that needs surrendering? Are there bullies chasing you and you don’t know how to handle them or run away from them? I encourage you to trust God 100%. Hide under the shadow of His wings. Rest in your Father’s arms today. Do it now!
A Child’s Love
A friend of mine narrated this incident that happened to him on one bad day. The day was hectic. Business was tiring. Things didn’t go well for him that day. He had picked up his 2 year old daughter and was on the way home. Just as any other curious 2 year old she began to pour out a multitude of questions at him. Why that and why this and so on. After a while she began to cry and make a scene for something she wanted. He could not take it anymore and out of the frustration shouted, “Please SHUT UP for a minute!”
The little girl immediately became silent, thinking that her dad was upset at her. But what shocked him was that before that minute could pass, she pointed to a cow outside the car and called her dad to see it, “Dad, look there! A cow!”. That dad told me how her reaction melted him and made him feel so little. Here was a child who had just been scolded at by her father. Instead of hanging on to her disappointment or grudge, she was ready to forgive and start afresh. He repented and changed his behaviour towards his daughter.
One of the greatest things we can learn from children is that they hold no grudges. Oh, how much we adults must learn this! Mathew 6:14 says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.“
PONDER:Have been holding any grudges? What are you waiting for? Let GO and love GOD!
A Child’s Contentment
One of my friends in Brunei noted how his children would do things and wait to see if the parents noticed it. They enjoy the attention of the parents. Another friend of mine brags about how his little daughter dances for him. They are not shy or worried about how they are being viewed. They enjoy life to the fullest. They are satisfied, content and live one day at a time.
I wish we could learn this from them to live for the joy of the Lord, that we would forget our worries and trust Him 100% and live life full for Him. Psalms 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law, nothing can make them stumble.“
PONDER: Is there something that is taking away your peace? Let go and break into praise!
There is a lot more we can learn from children. Do you have a story? What have you learnt? Share with us here on Facebook and Twitter.
