A Kid At Heart

Recently I have been blessed with the opportunity to help my best friend, who just became the new Children's Ministries director at our church. I am more than happy to help . . . I love children (and my best friend) and I am excited to be able to play and sing with them every Sunday and Wednesday (plus some). Last Wednesday was my first Wednesday night with the kids. Once again, I was amazed by the children. Children have so many special, endearing, and unique qualities. A child's hug can make your whole day better. Children trust so easily, love endlessly without judgment, and forgive repeatedly. Children can go from happiness, to frustration, to anger, to sadness, back to happiness all in under a minute. Their smiles can melt your heart and when they walk with you and want to hold your hand, the world seems perfect.

I believe that children are examples of what we should strive to be. Jesus Himself said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." I understand that as we walk through life we lose our innocence. We grow up and face the real world and the sparkle tends to disappear from our eyes. But Jesus tells us to be and believe like the children. As difficult as it is to move on from being mistreated, we have to learn to trust again. Obviously in today's society we have to be a bit wary with the strangers, but are there areas where you need to learn to trust again? With adults? With friends? With relationships? Forgive whoever has hurt you and realize that not everyone is the same, and there is someone you can trust. There are good people out there.

Which brings me to my next point . . . forgiveness. Children have the incredible capacity to forgive (the same person!) repeatedly. I know I have had to deal with this with a friend of mine. When you are older and you have been wronged, sometimes it cuts deeper than when you were a child. This just means you have longer until you're healed. But believe me . . . you will heal. And then you will be ready to forgive and move on. Not only will you be ready, but you will want to forget it and go back to life the way it was.

The quality that amazes me the most with children is their ability to love without judgment. Children don't see black or white, tall or short, fat or skinny, pretty or ugly. They do not care. Their love has no boundaries and they are open with their love. When they climb into your lap, run and jump into your arms, and hug without letting go, that is love. That is their affection, which is graciously bestowed upon our undeserving selves.

The final point I would like to make is that we should be doing more than just striving to be childlike. We should also be guarding and protecting a child's special qualities. We shouldn't want them to grow up so fast and lose their innocence. My heart breaks when I see a child who has lost their innocence and luster for life. There is a little girl at my church who just makes my heart ache. She is so serious, and so angry. Her life has been a bit difficult, and she has lost her sparkle. We should be protecting and caring for children so that they do not end up like this . . . all grown up before their time.

So to me . . . being a kid at heart is more than being a goofy adult with a lot of energy. A kid at heart has maintained (at least some) of their innocence. They trust faithfully, love endlessly, and forgive repeatedly. I want to be a kid at heart.



"People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch 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. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."
Mark 10:13-16