TOO GROWN?

TOO GROWN?

In my youth, the resonating voice of ‘Big Mama’ was a larger-than-life presence in African-American neighborhoods.  “Boy,” she would sometimes boom powerfully, “you are getting way too big for your britches…too grown!”  We knew immediately, instinctively and experientially, exactly what Big Mama meant and the dire consequences of any failure to comply.  The hour had come for us to settle down, to start acting like the ladies-and-gentlemen-in-waiting we were exhorted and expected to be.

Big Mama’s booming diatribes remind us of a signature admonition of Jesus Christ, who is fundamentally capable of summoning us to reflection, responsibility and a renewed recognition of our better selves: 

Matthew 18:2-4 (NKJV)

² Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 

³ And said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 

⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

‘Exactly what is it about a child,’ one might query, ‘that causes The Master to place such high value on their intrinsic nature and disposition?’  Several things come to mind.

First of all, children always reflect the innocence of pure wonder.  They really SEE the world and its inhabitants to be as alluring and awesome as any bedtime tale that ever crossed the threshold of their hearing and imagination.  When glimpsed through the wide-eyed gaze of a young child, how bright and beautiful are the blue jays, the cardinals, the rabbits, the turtles, the sunflowers and the daffodils!  May we adults never become so grown that we lose our ability to soak in a sunset or stare in awe at a rainbow.

Secondly, children are quick to renew and restore.  Five minutes after the fiercest argument they find it entirely easy to embrace, to accept and to turn again toward love.  Grudges are a decidedly adult phenomenon, the combative fiefdom of grown-ups who, quite sadly, have learned to remember things that are better forgotten and forgiven.

Thirdly, children are typically honest.  Although they are certainly capable of enacting deception, the first tendency of a child is to be authentic.  That is, children smile when they feel happy; they frown or cry when they feel sad.  There is usually no put on face or fake façade with children.  They are who they are.

Finally, children are constantly in need of genuine intimacy and bona fide spirituality.  Their families are nests of security, safe havens and wombs for personal growth and development.  Their faith tends to blossom organically and spontaneously, as an inborn and divinely seeded reality.  Nevertheless, children need to be carefully nurtured, i.e. to be constantly cared for and lovingly touched, both by the caring hands of God and the compassionate hands of His people.

No wonder Jesus Christ held children in such high esteem! 

Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14, NKJV)   So today, I promise OUR FATHER that I will try with all that is within me to become as a little child.  I will pause to observe His creation, and I will reflect upon it (and Him) with great gratitude and joy.  I will strive to always forgive, just as I am forgiven.  I will be honest, first with myself, and also with others.  I will diligently sustain my spiritual connectivity with The Creator and the fellow-children who inhabit this planet.  Conscientiously and systematically applied, these four decisions position and prepare me to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Will you join me in this spiritual quest?  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!