I remember
the first time
it occurred to me that I was going to learn
a lot from my kids; about God
, that is, and how we relate
to Him and each other.
the first time it occurred to me that I was going to learn a lot from my kids; about God, that is, and how we relate to Him and each other. We live in the beautiful
Hill Country
of Central Texas
. There’s nothing like our “Texas skies
.” One evening when Garrett was two, and Isabelle was a baby, the three of us were driving home directly into a dusk horizon. The sun had just set and the sky was every color you could imagine. The clouds
were casting stark silhouettes
against the rainbow
colored sky.
Hill Country of Central Texas. There’s nothing like our “Texas skies.” One evening when Garrett was two, and Isabelle was a baby, the three of us were driving home directly into a dusk horizon. The sun had just set and the sky was every color you could imagine. The clouds were casting stark silhouettes against the rainbow colored sky.“What a beautiful sky God painted for us tonight!” I said. “Isn’t He such a great artist
?” Garrett chimed in with “Oh, yeahs” and “uh-huhs” of agreement. I began to elaborate on how much God must love us to paint
us such a beautiful sky and to give us such a beautiful world. We discussed it for just a minute, and then all was quiet
.
?” Garrett chimed in with “Oh, yeahs” and “uh-huhs” of agreement. I began to elaborate on how much God must love us to paint us such a beautiful sky and to give us such a beautiful world. We discussed it for just a minute, and then all was quiet. I thought the conversation was over. Garrett’s internal
wheels had still been turning.
wheels had still been turning.“I love you, God,” came from the back seat.
“Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants you have ordained praise.” (Ps. 8:2)
Here’s the thing about kids. Although they are innocent
, anyone who has been around a three year old for 20 minutes knows they still possess the sin nature
that we all do. But they don’t have all the baggage
that we do that prevents us from being exactly as we are to be towards God. Children don’t blame
God for everyone else’s sins against us.
, anyone who has been around a three year old for 20 minutes knows they still possess the sin nature that we all do. But they don’t have all the baggage that we do that prevents us from being exactly as we are to be towards God. Children don’t blame God for everyone else’s sins against us.When it comes to God, children respond to Him
freely
.
freely. I heard a quote
from a Children’s Ministry leader
at our church
. He said, “I never met a child that was an atheist
.”
from a Children’s Ministry leader at our church. He said, “I never met a child that was an atheist.”Romans 1:19-20 explains why: “because what may be known of God is manifest
in [us], for God has shown it to [us]. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are made
, even His eternal power
and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”
in [us], for God has shown it to [us]. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” MEDITATE ON IT
What prevents you from responding
to God uninhibitedly?
to God uninhibitedly?What have you blamed God for that prevents reckless abandon before Him?
Is it another’s untrustworthiness, conditional
love, or unavailability to you?
love, or unavailability to you?What one small action
step can you take towards freely responding to God's love for you?
step can you take towards freely responding to God's love for you?PRAY ABOUT IT
Father God
, how great is Your love
for us, and abundant Your kindness 
towards us. We are broken people in a broken world suffering
from the effects of our own sin, and yet You love us enough to step into our midst and rescue us. Forgive
us, Lord
, for condemning
You for the sins
others have committed. Reveal to our hearts
areas that need to be healed
and meet with us there. Bring the redemptive
power of Jesus Christ
into those places within us. Begin to peel away the baggage between us so that we can respond to You freely with our whole
and healed heart.
, how great is Your love for us, and abundant Your kindness towards us. We are broken people in a broken world suffering from the effects of our own sin, and yet You love us enough to step into our midst and rescue us. Forgive us, Lord, for condemning You for the sins others have committed. Reveal to our hearts areas that need to be healed and meet with us there. Bring the redemptive power of Jesus Christ into those places within us. Begin to peel away the baggage between us so that we can respond to You freely with our whole and healed heart. LIVE IN IT
“Out of the mouths of babes
and nursing infants
you have ordained praise
.” (Psalm 8:2)
and nursing infants you have ordained praise.” (Psalm 8:2)“For since the creation
of the world His invisible attributes
are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power
and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans
1:20)
of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)“But Jesus
said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven
.’” (Matthew 19:14)
said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14)