TOO GROWN?
In my youth, the resonating voice of
‘Big Mama’ was a larger-than-life presence in African-American neighborhoods.
When any child approached the boundaries of proper decorum and behavior, she might
boom powerfully, “You are getting way too big for your britches…too
grown!” We knew, immediately and instinctively, exactly what Big Mama
meant and the dire consequences of any failure to comply. The moment had
arrived to settle down and start acting like the
ladies-and-gentlemen-in-waiting we were expected to be.
Big Mama’s corrective diatribes
remind me of a signature admonition of Jesus Christ, who is quite skillful in
summoning us to renewed reflection, responsibility and recognition of our
better angels:
Matthew 18:2-4 (NKJV)
Then Jesus called a little child to
Him, set him in the midst of them, 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. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this
little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
One might query, ‘What is it
about CHILDREN that
causes THE MASTER to
place such high value on their intrinsic nature and disposition?’ Several
character traits immediately come to mind.
CHILDREN
REFLECT THE INNOCENCE OF PURE WONDER. They somehow see the
world and its inhabitants in ways as alluring and awesome as any bedtime
tale that ever crossed the threshold of their hearing and imagination.
How bright and beautiful are the robins, the cardinals, rabbits, turtles, sunflowers
and daffodils when glimpsed through the wide-eyed gaze of a young child!
May we adults never become SO GROWN that
we lose our ability to observe a dazzling sunset with appreciation or stare in
awe at a magnificent rainbow.
CHILDREN
ARE QUICK TO RENEW AND RESTORE. Mere minutes after the
fiercest disagreement, they find it easy to embrace, accept and turn again toward
love. Grudges are a decidedly adult phenomenon, the combative fiefdom of we
grown-ups who have somehow learned to remember things that are better forgotten
and forgiven.
CHILDREN
ARE FUNDAMENTALLY HONEST. Although they are certainly
capable of enacting deception, the truest tendency of a child is to be
transparent and authentic. That is, children tend to smile when they feel
happy; they frown or cry when they are feeling sad. Typically, there are
no fake-faces or façades with children. They are who they are.
CHILDREN
NEED GENUINE INTIMACY AND BONA FIDE SPIRITUALITY. Therefore,
families should be nests of security – safe havens and wombs for personal
growth and development. In such spaces, faith tends to blossom
organically and spontaneously, as a divinely-seeded promise and reality.
To wit, our children stand in need of consistent nurture – to be respected,
reproved and lovingly touched – 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) So today, I promise OUR FATHER that I will try my best to become AS A LITTLE CHILD. I will
pause to observe His creation, and I will reflect upon it (and upon Him) with
great gratitude and genuine joy. I will strive to forgive offenders,
just as I am forgiven by Him. I will be honest, first with myself,
and then with others. I will diligently strive to sustain my
spiritual connectivity with Christ and the ‘fellow-children’ who inhabit and
steward this mortal plain. If these four wisdom principles are
conscientiously and systematically applied, they will position and prepare me
for the Kingdom of Heaven. Won’t you join me in this world-changing spiritual
quest?
No comments:
Post a Comment