Through the Eyes of a Child

Recently we were visiting with friends who have two little birds.  These feathered friends abide in a lovely cage in the school room.  When the school room door is closed, the children are free to release the beloved pets into the freedom of open space and enjoy all of their antics.  These antics include swirling, diving, landing on hands and heads and flying out of reach so the children need to work hard to reach them.

Our children thought that this was the most wonderful idea in the world.  Even better, we have two cats – how exciting would that be!?!

You know what I thought?  “I bet with the way the children chase those birds, they poop all over the place.”

Hmmm… something seems discordant doesn’t it.

Both of our kitties love birds.  One likes to eat them and one likes to play with them.  In our old house, our player used to catch blue jays and bring them in through the cat door and play with them under the dining room table or down in the basement bathroom.  You know what a scared blue jay does?  It poops. Anybody have any idea on how long it takes to clean up all of the bird droppings inspired by a hyper cat?  A long time… a very long time.

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kindom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.
Mark 10:14
People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
 So, what’s my point?  Little children aren’t jaded by frustrations and chores.  They don’t get hung up on all that ‘has’ to be done. They aren’t worried about cleaning up the bird poop.  Little children find wonder in the simple things around them without all of the extra stuff blocking their view.

I can only imagine how the children would have responded to being around the Lord Jesus.  He must have been such a gentle man with them.  I suspect they would have gotten as close as they could to hear Him and see just what was He going to do next.

How did the disciples respond?  They saw the children as an inconvenience.  They expected them to hinder the Master’s work.  Notice what Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Jesus and the disciples had two totally different perspectives. The disciples were looking to get the job done.  Jesus told them that it was the child-like wonder and faith that led to a marvelous relationship with God.  (Note that that is child-like not childish.)

As an adult, I do have responsibilities.  There are some things that I must do.  BUT, I also need to remember to come before Jesus with the simple faith of a little child.  No conditions, no ultimatums, no plea bargaining.  Plain and simple.  Now is the time for me to come to Jesus.  Not when I have everything clean and under control but right now I need to love and trust Him with the faith of a little child.

This is a beautiful hymn by William Featherstone.  It was written in 1864, when he was only 16 years old.

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.


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