Like a Child

He sat down, summoned the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” He took a child and stood him among them. Then he put his arms around him and said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me” (Mk 9:35-37, CJB).

People were bringing children to him so that he might touch them, but the talmidim rebuked those people. However, when Yeshua saw it, he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me, don’t stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Yes! I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it!” And he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and make a b’rakhah over them (Mk 10:13-16, CJB).

What are You talking about here, Jesus? Children are many things. What qualities of children make us fit for the Kingdom of God? They are selfish, demanding, foolish, lacking self-control, disobedient, self-willed, etc.Wow, as an adult, I can be all these things without trying. These qualities don’t seem to be unique to children. They are things I still fight to overcome. Obviously they are not the qualities you desire. So what is it about being a child that I have lost or am in danger of losing?

Children love unconditionally (they can’t help it, even when their parents/caregivers hurt them). They are open to receive, defenseless, small, full of wonder and excitement, curious, teachable, and ready for fun. Yes, I can see that these qualities are in danger of being lost in me. I have to fight to keep them. Without Your help, my heart closes, I put up defenses, and my love becomes very conditional. I feel like I should be “big” enough to handle life on my own. I lose the wonder and excitement of each day. I become focused on what I already know - and bored with life - instead of wondering what adventure is around the next corner.

Rescue me, Lord! Though there is a beauty in “growing up,” there is danger as well. Break through my grown-up shell and reach my heart again. Help me to approach life, parenting, marriage, and every aspect of my life with the humility, curiosity, and wonder of a child. Open my heart to receive Your love. Teach me to enter Your kingdom like a child.