A Child's Reception

"The childlike faith that asks not sight, waits not for wonder or for sign, believes, because it loves, aright, shall see things greater, things divine."

-John Keble

A garnet ring. Two fragile gold pins. A glistening rhinestone necklace I thought fit for a queen, and cultured pearls given to her by her father. Those are pieces I most remember from my mother's jewelry box. Like any little girl, I was mesmerized by my mother's jewelry. I wanted to look at it, to touch it, to wear it, and I spent hours dreaming of what it would be like to go to a place enchanting enough to use it, especially the necklace. The little square, glassy stones looked like diamonds to me. My mother assured me they were not, and I still remember the disappointment I felt when she said so.

But the disappointment didn't stop my dreams. Alas, I continued the fast endeavor of believing the worth of the necklace was far more that my mother knew. And perhaps it was, for it gave me opportunity to imagine, to believe, to live in a child's world of hope and possibility.

While the memory of the necklace amuses me now, it also refers me to the substance of childlike faith. A child's mind is an open door of trust and a gateway of hopeful aspirations. So, is it any wonder Christ would tell us that unless we approach Him with the faith of a child, we cannot please Him?

Remember the scene from Mark 10. Children were brought to Christ so He could bless them. The disciples thought of this move as a distraction from Jesus' ministry. Christ's response was a fast rebuke. He was "greatly displeased." "Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." The disciples must have been stunned.

But in seeing their Lord so greatly disturbed, the disciples must have given His words considerable thought. And I hope, today, I will have the courage to take Jesus' words to heart; for, receiving the kingdom of God as a child means coming to God with faith that is pure, hope that is not deterred, belief in His supreme sovereignty, and love that has no pretense. And at the center of a child's faith lies humility, an understanding that there are so many things bigger that oneself and so many purposes higher that one's own.

In prayerful consideration of the truth of God's word, I hope to yield myself to Him, asking, believing, trusting, that He will help me approach Him with purity of heart and humility of mind. Lord, please help me please you, at all times, in all things, that whatever I do, wherever I go, whatever I say, You will be glorified.

*from Mark 10:13 - 16, NKJV