Woman to Woman: Like Little Children

If you have spent some time with little children, you quickly come to recognize how they truly enjoy life. A toddler lives with a transparency that expresses their wants and emotions, putting them out there for everyone to see.

My thirteen month old granddaughter knows exactly where to go to get the Rice Chex cereal when she wants a snack. When she is thirsty, she points and yells for my cup of water. At the mere sight of pasta, she wants to sit and partake.

At the sound of music, she begins to dance without caring if anyone is looking, in complete and utter abandon and enjoyment of the music.

And Jesus says to us:

“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3, NLT)

The phrase has been stuck in my thoughts for days – “like little children.” Jesus calls us to become like little children but what does this mean?

Children are humble. They do not have any intentions of making a name for themselves. They are not yet caught up in status nor in being recognized.
Children know they need help. Unlike adults, who can think they can do a task on their own, children are aware of their need of help. They know when a task is too difficult to attempt solely on their own efforts.
Children ask, and keep asking. They are not ashamed to ask repeatedly for something they are wanting to eat, drink, or do.

It’s the last point which has had my attention, for God, our Father, wants us, His children, to come to Him in prayer and ask.

In her book, The Jesus Who Surprises, Dee Brestin writes:

“Satan wants to cause attachment disorder between God and us. This is a term to describe children who have trouble attaching to anyone because of abuse in their formative years. Satan wants to convince us that God does not love us and does not want the best for us so that we will back away and stop talking to Him, throwing away our only lifeline.” (page 100)

We must stay attached to our Father, for He is our lifeline through the power of prayer.We must be diligent in our fight to stay attached, daily coming to Him in prayer and making our needs known.

"He made us, He knows us, and He longs for honest communication. Intimacy is possible only when pretense is gone."(also from The Jesus Who Surprises, page 105)

Perhaps Jesus knew of our propensity towards “attachment disorder” and this is the very reason He bids us “Come".

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28, NLT)

Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash