Childlike
When Jesus saw
this, he became angry and said, "Let the children come to me!
Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children
belong to the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14
“Mom?” little Jackie asked. “Did
Mrs. Burson eat somethin’ sour?”
Janet smiled as Jackie added, “’Cause
she sure looks like she ate one o my sour apple candies!”
While formulating the proper response
for a six-year-old, Janet watched in horror as little Jack skipped
right over to Mrs. Burson, reached up and took her hand, “Did you
eat some of your kid’s sour candy, Mrs. Burson?”
Janet hurried to head off Mrs. Burson’s
response. To her surprise, Mrs. Burson smiled at young Jack. She
looked him straight in the eye, and asked, “Do I look that
bad, Jackie?!”
Before he could respond, Janet
interrupted, “What Jackie meant to say was…”
With upheld hand, Mrs. Burson cut her
off, “Oh, Janet, I’m quite sure he said what he meant. But thank
you for attempting to ease the sting.”
Unconscious of his faux pas, Jackie
innocently added, “Sometimes them sour apple candies give me a
bellyache. Do you have a bellyache, Mrs. Burson?”
Totally at a loss for words, Janet
waited for Mrs. Burson’s response.
“You know something, Jackie. I
believe I do,” she said with a laugh. “Thank you for helping me
ascertain the source of my displeasure!”
Jackie asked quizzically, “What’s
an ascertain of displeasure?”
Mrs. Burson and Janet both broke into
laughter!
†
Only a child can get away with such
boldness. Their innocence disarms the normally offensive response we
would certainly give to any adult who dared question the noticeable
displeasure of our stern countenance. Why is that?
Mainly, it’s because we know children
are not malicious. They are unsullied by cynicism and cruel intent,
we wouldn’t think of demeaning them for reaching out to us.
Jesus points out that those who possess
such childlike innocence display an important characteristic of
Kingdom citizenship….a very important characteristic, that if lost,
we should hope to re-discover (ascertain).
Prayer
“Lord, my grown-up
countenance is lacking in innocence. Please restore the childlike
wonder and faith of my youth so I look like a citizen of Your
Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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