Last week our UPS man drove in our neighborhood. Kenzi saw the truck and thought it might be her daddy. I assured her it was not because we live in Walnut Ridge(recently moved). She runs outside and stands in our driveway, as he returns, she is waving at him BIG, he waves back just as big…… as he passes, she turns, looks at me and says, “nope Nan that’s not my daddy, he had hair, my daddy is bald!!” So today he did make a delivery….I told him the story, we snapped a picture and we had a good chuckle!!!! My wish is for the whole world to see through the eyes of a child!!”
Credit: Myra Crowell
Is it any wonder that Jesus loved children so much! In addition, we read in Matthew 18:3, “Truly, I tell you, unless you change and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Children are dependent on relationship in order to live. They need relationships to satisfy their hunger, both physical and spiritual. They celebrate their joys and blessings in relationship with those around them. Children depend on relationships to support them when they are tested and comfort them in their trials. And, as shown by the story above, they teach us that relationship is based on our common humanity, not the “accidental” externals that fuel adult prejudices.
The Covid-19 crisis has shown us the need of recognizing the truth of our common humanity. Essential workers come in all colors! The virus crosses all external signs of boundaries or differences. The racial injustice crisis has proven that for too many adults seeing with the eyes of a child seems beyond hope. In Psalm 8:2 we read: “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies.” May we listen to the children! May we see all our brothers and sisters with the eyes of a child!
Beautifully put, on-target examples of Matthew 18:3. Thank you.