Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
– Matthew 19:14
Kathy’s last day of this school year was Friday, so to start the summer right she decided to take a walk on the beach. She reported to me her delight at watching a mother and child actively waiting on the sand. The toddler was enjoying her freedom, and was smiling and cooing as she stumbled along. But whenever the mother got too close, or tried to help, the toddler would scream and throw herself down as if in utter distress. Mom would back off, and immediately all would be well, the toddler giggling, dancing, and resuming her stumbling way along.
I love the resiliency of children. I wish I had some of that. Lately, whenever I overreact to being told what I can’t do, the frustration sticks with me. Sometimes, even when someone is trying to help, I push them away. It seems as though I would rather wallow in my frustration. I think that this is a little of what Jesus is talking about when he invites us to be like children. Apparently the realm of God belongs to those who will accept it with delight, rather than seeing at some sign of their own limitations.
Yesterday helped. No, the graduates are not children. But to see their sheer joy in being able to walk in cap and gown before an assemblage of parked cars was both a balm and a lesson to me. If they, denied so much of their senior year and farewell to high school, can find an occasion to laugh, and dance, and proudly accept the cheers and honking of horns, then I can find all sorts of reasons smile and coo as I stumble along.
Author of life and love, bless us with the resilience of children. Help us to accept each day as a gift, and to take delight in new discoveries. In our maturity, help us to address the challenges of each day and each moment, but allow us always to remember that we are your children, and in that bring us out of the shadows of bitterness and into the light of your eternal presence. Through your resilient Son we pray. Amen.
Pastor George