Childlike
There is a difference between being childlike and being childish.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire. - Matthew 18:1-9
When the disciples came to Jesus and asked about greatness among them, they were acting childish.
He responded by telling them they should be childlike instead.
If you need to be reminded of what being like a child is all about, and who among us doesn't, then spend some time with them like we did yesterday.
On the chuck wagon hayride to an outdoor supper among the Bisons in Custer State Park, we had a chance to have our childhood revisited, singing songs with Roy Hendrickson and his adorable and rambunctious granddaughter, Aisley.
Aisley is going to be four this Saturday, so she spent some time befriending everyone, inviting us all to her birthday party.
The entire experience was all about being a child again, on the wagon ride singing songs ranging from Old Mac Donald to Country Roads, and at the picnic site, being entertained by cowboy singers while we joined the line to get our grub.
It was a blast!
And before we ate, we took a moment to pray for thanks. This is what life in the kingdom is all about.
When Jesus tells us to be like children, he is not talking about how we act. He wants us to be open to loving one another.
There will always be someone to guide us, like grandpa Roy, keeping us in line when we get out of control, returning us to our seat so we can sing the next song and be joyful again.
That is our job as we get older, but we should never forget being young.
Sometimes, we just have to get out there with everyone else and sing along.
More to come...