Let the Children Come to Me

This week, I was thinking about Jesus teaching his followers that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those like the little children who were coming to see him. This doesn’t mean we are supposed to revert to childishness, but we are supposed to maintain a childlike spirit. I certainly have seen over the years how my children’s spirits rub off on me (in mostly good ways 😝) and I often feel myself lightening up and enjoying life much more because of them.

Also, kids say profound things at the most unexpected times. Their curiosity, innocence and sense of wonder bring out wisdom far beyond their years. A friend of mine recently shared how she was having a rough day because of all the regular chaos plus now it snowed, and her kids wanted to go out in it, which means more laundry and getting little kids ready. It felt like a (pardon the pun) snowball of stress. Then, one of her little kids looked outside the window and said, “Mama, I am so happy! Look at the snow! It's so beautiful!” She said she immediately realized how much more in tune with God's plan for our lives that perspective was than the one she had. 

Raising children is the most challenging and rewarding thing we can do. It is truly sanctifying…if we allow it to be! When they ask the same question for the 10,000th time, it's easy to lose it and snap on them. But, if we let ourselves come down to their level (as God does for us so often) we can teach and learn so much. I know it can be hard and we fail every day at staying patient and kind with them, but it's 100% worth it to keep getting back up and trying to be Jesus loving the little children.