Become like, and welcome the little children
Reading Matthew 18 recently, and two things struck me about Jesus’ instructions to us: becoming like a child, and welcoming children. So that’s what I’m sharing and writing about today.
Let’s start with “becoming” like a child. I’m “studying” my middle grandchildren, the 4 – 6-year-olds. You should too – you’d be surprised at what you discover! I try to get ‘eye level’ with them as often as possible. I don’t want to be the ‘commanding and demanding’ voice from above. Well, at least not all the time. And I’m learning a lot from them about how to do things and really, how to truly live. The analogy of us as parents and grandparents is very applicable to our Father God.
Did you ever notice that they don’t usually have a care in the world? They have parents who provide it all for them. They don’t worry, they don’t have ‘to do’ lists, they don’t have a time table/schedule/deadlines, no watch on their wrist. They know how to ask. They generally aren’t that concerned about any ‘repercussions’ of their actions. Overall, no concerns about anything.
So what can we as adults do with this? WE have a Father that does that for us, too. He’ll take all our burdens on Him, lighten our load if we let Him. When we ask. His timing is not our timing, so why are we in such a hurry all the time? Why do we think our timing is better? Overall then, why don’t we live like little children in the care of our Heavenly Father? So that’s lesson #1 – when you really look at it, become like a child and experience the joy and peace and abundance that Jesus came for and God our Heavenly Father provides if we trust Him. Let’s lighten the moment, lighten our burdens, and heal a bit as adults as we become more childlike again. A child of God.
Next, let’s look at Jesus’ instruction about welcoming children. I believe this is a word for us as grandfathers. Something I’ve done as a parent, I see parents doing all the time with their children, and something as grandparents as well that we need to STOP doing – making them grow up! Forcing ‘responsibility’ on them. Loading them with “adult-like” weight and worry. THIS is not what Jesus instructs us to do when He tells us to welcome them. Adulthood and worldly responsibility will come none too soon. Parents and grandparents PLEASE welcome them by letting them stay childlike for as long as they can.
So wrapping up, as we read Matthew 18 and Jesus’ instructions to us: become like a child, and welcome the little children. Ask things of your Heavenly Father, rely on Him, He’s big enough to carry whatever weight you’re carrying. And welcome the children. You are welcoming Jesus when you do.
Don Schin has extensive global experience in Asia with Fortune 500 companies. He now owns a franchise broker and consulting company. Don is a seasoned professional speaker and writer, authoring the book, “Can you Relate?” Don is active in his community where his time is devoted to men’s groups, local churches, and non-profit boards including recent past chair of the Bethesda Mission, the largest rescue mission in Harrisburg, PA. He also served as the chaplain for an AA baseball team through BaseballChapel.org. Don enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, of 45 years. They have two grown children and seven grandchildren.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
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