Like Little Children

Like Little Children

[Jesus] said, “I tell you the truth, unless you . . . become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Matthew 18:3

At his home Rob goes to Sunday school—he’s in the Frog class, a roomful of jump-happy, make-a-joyful-noise, three-year-olds. But on his first solo weekend visiting us, we decided to stick together. There we were, Nana, Granddad, and a squirmy Rob, sandwiched tightly in the middle of the pew in the middle of the crowded sanctuary. I prayed for lots of singing and a short sermon.

Our pastor is a wonderful shepherd, but not a dynamic speaker. No forceful voice or fancy words. He makes his point by repetition. Simple words repeated often.

That day the sermon came from Romans 8:14. Pastor David read it twice: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Then, leaning out over the pulpit, he asked, “Are you a child of God?”

Rob stopped fiddling with Granddad’s tie clasp, turned to the pulpit, and thrust his hand into the air.

During the course of his sermon, Pastor David sent those words out into the congregation again and again: “Are you a child of God?” Each time, Rob stretched his hand high above Granddad’s shoulder and smiled his one-dimple grin. People behind us were chuckling, then the giggles spread across the aisle. Every time Rob answered the pastor’s question by raising his hand, the laughter grew louder.

With his flock now grinning from aisle to aisle, Pastor David finally saw the reason. Pointing his finger and smiling at Rob, he said, “Now that child of God gets the idea!”

“Become like little children.” It is harder than it sounds. It does not take a big voice or fancy words. It takes courage to raise our hands for the Lord for everyone to see.

—Kathleen Brown

Help us become like little children, Lord, loving you joyfully, trusting you completely, serving you faithfully. Amen.