As Little Children

I have to confess. I'm not a kid person. Maybe that's surprising since I have four of my own. (Or maybe not.) I never enjoyed babysitting. I would rather teach adults or teenagers than little ones. There's just not a natural pull inside me to hang out with kids.

However, even without the innate draw toward children, I still very much recognize incredible value in them, love them deeply, and cherish the lessons they teach me. (I mean, look how adorable these boys are with their pure unadulterated love for each other. Oh the fun of kindergarten friendships!)

I've been working on it. Being open to what children have to teach me, that is.

For example, yesterday along with a few other moms, I helped 50 or so kindergartners stamp "100"s on shirts for them to wear for the 100th day of school celebration. One by one we called them out into the hallway to get messy and enjoy their creativity! The whole event took a long while, and I was able to think while we worked, and take it all in.

Some chose to stamp all in one color, but most chose multiple colors.
Some made linear designs or patterns, but most stamped more randomly.
Some took their time deciding, pressing, peeling, deciding, pressing, peeling, while some had such excitement over the project that they couldn't stamp fast enough.
Some stamped just a few leaving plenty of white space, but most wanted to cover every square inch of the shirt.
There were such different approaches to one singular project. And it was fun to see their little right brains at work.

We had to stamp an extra shirt for an absent child, and so one of the moms took on that task, only to discover several stamps in that another little girl's name was on the t-shirt. OOPS! So, we called that little girl out and explained that we made a mistake and had already started stamping her shirt, "but you can finish it!" we said with our most upbeat, hopeful voices.

Now what response do you think we got?

Well, I have to say that what that little girl did was a blessing and lesson for us all. Instead of feeling sorry for herself over the missed opportunity to create her own pattern or pick her own colors, or throwing a fit, or crying, she made lemonade from lemons! She chose her own different colors and stamped right over the other ones, creating a fabulous shadow effect. Then she filled in some more of her own to complete her masterpiece. Now, guess who's t-shirt is the most unique of all of them and looks awesome!

A teeny-tiny five-year-old little girl chose maturity and creativity over drama. What a sweet soul! What a great lesson!

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About a year and a half ago, I read the book Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. This kind of "christian book store cash-cow" book is not typically a go-to for me, even if it is a true story. But this particular book had been very touching to my mom in the wake of my father's passing a couple of years prior. She had encouraged me to read it, but for the most part I had ignored that suggestion, since I had plenty of other books in my "to-read" stack. But one day while shopping for some other things, I came across it and decided to buy it. Then, finally a few months later, I sat down and read it - in one inspiring, tear-filled sitting!

If you're not familiar with the story, it's about a four year old little boy named Colton Burpo who became very ill and almost died on the operating table. During the operation, he rose out of his body and spent time in heaven, comforted by Jesus, awed by God, playing with his deceased grandfather, and seeing much of the spiritual world. After an inexplicable, almost immediate recovery from his operation and sepsis, he eventually began to mention things about his heavenly experience in casual conversation with his parents, who of course were astonished. They began asking open ended questions about his time in heaven, so as not to lead his answers. This book and this boy's stories about his experiences are simply amazing. It's a book I would definitely recommend: easy to read, and incredibly impactful.

That book led me to read another book called Akiane, Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry. Akiane Kramarik is a child prodigy in art and poetry, with an extraordinary story of Divine encounters even being born in an atheistic family.  -- When Heaven is for Real's little Colton Burpo would see portraits, drawings, or paintings of Jesus in books or churches his parents would ask him "Is that one right?" and he would always follow with some description of what was not right about them. However, one day his father came across Akiane's story and her portrait of Jesus. Akiane began at the age of four having visions of heaven and spending time in God's presence. She then began insatiably drawing, painting, and writing poetry. At the age of 9 she painted a portrait of Jesus based on her personal experiences. When Colton Burpo's father casually showed Colton a picture of Akiane's painting (with no explanation of who Akiane is) Colton looked carefully, paused, then said. "That one is right." -- Obviously I had to read Akiane's story, too. Not only would I recommend her book, but I recommend her artwork and poetry as well. What an exceptional young woman!

One of the things that lingered with Colton, and that he stressed over and over to his parents throughout months and years after his experience, was how much Jesus loves children. Over dinner, while brushing his teeth, in every prayer, concluding every bible story, Colton would emphasize, Jesus loves the children. ... You know, Jesus really loves the children. ... Hey Dad, Jesus told me to tell you that Jesus really, really loves the children. ... over and over again: Jesus loves children!

These two children, now young adults, Colton Burpo and Akiane Kramarik, both had simply remarkable experiences which they now share with the world. There was something special about those early years, the childhood years, when they were untainted by the world and open to experience God's pure love and goodness.

Jesus taught us that we should all be as little children. I believe this is the kind of thing he means. Being uncorrupted by the cynicism and jadedness of the world, and being open to encountering God without preconceived ideas obstructing the experience. Having faith. Pure faith. Faith that God loves us, wants us to have peace and joy beyond imagination, and is solely interested in our very best care.

This is the message of God's Word. This is the good news for you and me. We are to become as these children. Like Colton and Akiane who soaked it all in, like the little kindergartner who chose creativity over drama, like those precious boys pictured above who have no fear of expressing their love for each other, like the precious little ones filled with glee who want to tumble over you in the nursery play area...

See the world through the eyes of a child. Emulate the children, and in doing so we can experience the fullness of God.