TOO GROWN?
In our 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 fully 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 faces or fake façades with children. They are who they
are. Period.
Finally, children are constantly in need of GENUINE INTIMACY AND BONA FIDE SPIRITUALITY. Families
are nests of security, safe havens and wombs for personal growth and
development. There, their faith tends to blossom organically and spontaneously,
as a divinely seeded reality. 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 family and friends.
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) 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 and appreciate His
creation, and I will reflect upon its beauty and its Creator with gratitude and
joy. I will strive to always forgive,
just as I am forgiven. I will be honest,
first with myself, and then with others.
I will diligently sustain my spiritual connectivity with The Father and
the fellow children who inhabit this planet.
Conscientiously and systematically applied, these four decision points position
me to enter the gates of Heaven. Will
you join me in this spiritual quest?
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all
else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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