Sometimes the littlest church members teach me the biggest lessons.
As with many churches, ours has a rotation of servers in the nursery. Last Sunday was my turn. Since I don’t have small children anymore (cue a bit of sadness), I forget how their lack of life experience feeds into their actions. No filter. That can result in humorous embarrassment for the parents at times. “Kids say the darndest things.”
Yet, at other times, these small humans become the greatest teachers.
I had forgotten that my turn had arrived and was committed to also serving communion. For a moment, I thought about finding someone else to fill my spot. But I didn’t. And for that I am grateful.
One of the members brought her two year old grandson. Besides being ridiculously cute, he arrived with a cup of valentine candy hearts.
After interacting with him for a while, he walked toward me holding out his hand. Within it his curled fingers, lied a candy heart. While he offered it to me, my real one melted.
Isn’t this reflective of God’s love to us? Unfiltered. Our past is not considered. The offer to accept connection is lifted up freely; abundantly.
Isn’t this reflective of being image bearers of God’s love? Unfiltered. The past is not considered. The offer to accept connection is lifted up freely; abundantly.
But we lose sense of that truth as we grow up. We analyze, justify, excuse. God’s sense of justice regarding human value takes a backseat to human reasoning.
We need the reminder.
Thankfully, God has no boundaries around his messengers.
“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.” Galatians 6:1-3
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I have learned my biggest lessons from little children! I love this Stephanie! I hope you’re feeling better! Cindy
And a little child shall lead them. When the kids come up for the children’s sermon, they surprise me with what’s on their mind. But they also teach me so much. Blessed to be your neighbor at FMF this week.
I tried to leave a comment earlier, but WordPress wouldn’t let me.
Really too ill to be coherent, except in a sonnet composed upon your inspiration, in this post.
I sometimes wonder if our God
is like a happy child,
delighting in the queer and odd,
and revelling in the wild.
Does He watch our antics here
with a handclap of delight?
And is our seriousness a mere
flicker in the night?
Is our God a God of joy,
calling us to play?
Are our pretensions just a ploy
to stand in His way?
Can we accept a God of fun?
Can we play-wrestle with His Son?
Excellent poetry as always, Andrew. To be honest, I have wrestled with the God of fun. It’s only recently that I’ve come to embrace that characteristic as my own.