Wonder of wonders! I just love the innocence and wonder of small children. The joy in the little things, and their curiosity of the world around them is so fun to see. And yes, I know from experience that their joy can turn on a dime at any moment for any known or unknown reason too! Now that we are experiencing the challenges associated with being parents of young adults, it is easier to relax and enjoy these precious little people when you aren’t the one primarily responsible for their teaching and training. Hopefully now we can be more of an encouragement and support for the parents of “littles” when the days are sometimes long, but the years are so very short.

The Bible says that unless we become as little children, we can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and Mark 10:14 says “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” It is so wonderful that Jesus had a special place in His heart for children as He enjoyed time spent with them. I think there is a lot we can learn from little children’s innocence and perspective on the world.

Somehow it seems we lose our wonder of the world around us as we grow up and take on more responsibilities and the rushing around that seems to go with “adulting.” I have enjoyed spending time with Kindergarteners and 1st graders this past school year, as well as toddlers and preschoolers my daughter babysits and I help her with in Sunday School. I often come home and say everyone should spend a day once in awhile with 5 year olds (or 2, 3, 4, etc.). Looking at the world through their eyes brings a freshness to life.

How long has it been since you soaked in the beauty of a sunrise/ sunset, or a rainbow? How long since you were so delighted and scared by a hopping toad that you giggled and giggled every time you had courage enough to reach out and try to “tickle” it? Blew the fluff off a dandelion, or stood in the rain and let it run down your hair as you stomped in the puddles? And when was the last time you just enjoyed snuggling with someone and sharing a story and a yummy snack, while discussing everyone and everything else in your short life? How many hugs have you given, and have you really laughed with abandonment lately? How sad that as adults we are often so burdened with the cares of this world and become too busy to really ENJOY LIFE!

I also love how open and receptive children are to worshiping God, their Creator and Heavenly Father. It seems sometimes we become indifferent to the familiarity of the Gospel, and need fresh eyes and ears as if it was our first time experiencing Jesus! It is so wonderful to hear children recite Scripture and to sing worship song with all of their hearts. It is a privilege to sit through school chapel or Sunday School birthday singing and see the joy as they sing and worship with everything in them. I can only imagine how it must bless God Himself as the children He loves so much worship in spirit and in truth. And what better time to hide away those Scripture verses that they will have in their hearts and minds the rest of their lives. I am SO grateful for all the memory work programs I was blessed with as I grew up, and how important that still is for so many parents as they continue to see that their children learn God’s Word from little on up. They are such sponges when they are small, and seem to absorb everything– good or bad– so what an opportunity to influence them for good.

So my challenge this week is to keep the wonder in our joyful journey here on earth…. slow down, look up from our phones and look for those things we have become oblivious to, pause and breathe in the fresh air and the beauty around us, share some love with others, and don’t forget the wonder of wonders– that God became flesh and came to earth to redeem us so we can have a personal relationship and eternal life with Him… the most wonderful gift of all!

Psalm 8: 1-2 “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!² Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infantsYou have ordained strength…”

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