seeing_like

Seeing Like a Child, by Gini Kittle

I remember one Christmas I wanted to get a special present for one of my nieces. The problem was that it was very popular and hard to find in the stores. After searching in store after store, I finally found the present. I felt like a fisherman who had just landed the big one.

When I gave the present to my young niece, I watched her open the present and I was delighted. However, she could have cared less about the present I had so diligently searched to find. She sat on the ground happily playing with the bow I had put on the package.

Have we in the church been duped into believing that big is always better, that expensive is always valuable, and that time-consuming means lasting? Have we lost the wonder of life?

The Bible tells us that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it at all. There’s something special and wonderful in the eyes and hearts of children. A child is able to believe without having to know! They haven’t lost the wonder of life.

Lord, give us eyes and hearts like children, restore the simple child-like faith we once had, and return the wonder of life to your Church. May we come to expect the suddenlies of God. You know all the things we’ve been believing for and when they're going to break through. May this be a season of suddenlies for us all.