Friday, July 24, 2009

A Child's Perspective!


Amanda was rubbing out my shoulders on the back deck when two little neighbor boys, ages 6 and 3, appeared at the edge of our yard and called, "Do you think you guys can come over?"


We hadn't seen them since last year, and weren't busy, so we went over to keep an eye on them and play with them. They've been staying at their grandma's this week (it's actually their grandma who is our neighbor) to attend the VBS in the next town over. I was pushing Matthew (age 3) in the swing when he suddenly called out, "Look! There's a jet!"


Me: "Yeah! It's high up there, isn't it?"


Matt: "Yes! Jets fly higher than airplanes!"


(a moment later)


Matt: "I wonder if a jet kept on going, if it would fly all the way up to heaven!"


Me: (laughing inside) "I don't think a jet can get to heaven!"


Matt: "Yeah." (excitedly) "Do you know what color the streets are in heaven?"


Me: "Gold!"


Matt: "Yeah! Everything in heaven is gold!" (remember, he's three years old ;-) )


Me: "And do you know what the best part of heaven is?"


Matt: "What?"


Me: "Jesus is there!"


Matt: (with conviction) "Yep! And Jesus is bigger than anything! He's bigger than you, so He's in control of you!"


Ah, the faith of a little child! Isn't it sweet that they don't have to have all the "intellect" and unending doctrinal discourses and arguments we "grown-ups" feel to be so necessary? In their little minds, they see Jesus as bigger than anything; therefore, He must be in control! To them, it's very obvious; it's rhetorical.


Why do we always think we're so big, so in control? Why do we so often act as though our problems are bigger than God? If only we would stop trying to solve life's problems ourselves, and have the unhesitating trust of a little, three-year-old boy. :-)



"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Verily I say unto you, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.' "

(Matthew 18:1-5)

3 comments:

juli said...

Ahh the simple trusting faith of a little tyke! Makes me ashamed of myself! Would to God I would trust Him like a 3 yr. old! Great post!

Margaret Dashwood said...

Wow, great post. I repeat Juli!!

Anonymous said...

And I agree with both of you; it was a very good post, Melanie!