How Childlike are YOU?

09/04/2023

One evening I heard our front door-bell ring. As I opened the door, a gust of cool autumn breezes wafted in with their breezy hello. Two parrots screeched as they raced each other outdoors and up in the skies above, soft white cotton clouds danced praises to their Creator. Two little girls stood on our doorstep. Alicia lived in the house opposite ours, so I knew her well, but her friend was new to our neighbourhood. Alicia introduced me to Jo'Anne. (Not their real names!)

Alicia looked at me. "We were wondering," she said, "We were wondering … what you like!"

"Umm ... what I like? What exactly do you mean?" I smiled at their sweet innocent faces.

"We were wondering … what you like!" repeated Jo' Anne, her black locks shining in the sunshine.

"Hmm.. well …" I said, stalling for time. "I like … books! Yes, that's what I like! Books!"

My mind was blank about anything else I liked, because I wasn't sure I understood the question. I warmly welcomed little Jo'Anne into our neighbourhood. She had dark straight hair, smooth skin and a bright smile. They chatted a bit more and soon left to try out their roller skates.

A few days later, I was seeing my beloved off to the gym, when we stumbled over something kept right outside our front door. We found a couple of books and two hand-made cards. Like a switch being turned on, I finally understood the question the girls had asked of me. The cards were lovely and Jo'Anne's card was exceptional. She'd written on the front of the page, with a picture of the globe and a house (ours) on top: "The Best Neighbour in the World'

Inside the card were lots of encouraging statements, such as …

The best person on the street is YOU,

You're kind,

You're awesome.

You're YOU,

You belong!

I was amazed! Jo' Anne hardly knew me. How come she said all that?

Most surprising was a comment that brought tears to my eyes.

'You don't deserve the bad things that happen to you!'

Now that made me cry! In the last little while, fibro fatigue and pain had been severe. Relentless. I had been struggling to keep my head above the water. There'd even been moments I had wondered why I was suffering so much, despite doing all I knew to do to get better! Here then was encouragement from my Father. His messengers were two little angels in the form of two small girls. Thank You God! Children are such priceless gifts, aren't they?

During the past few weeks, I have been taking part in a clinical trial conducted by the University of NSW. Participants are being taught a therapy that could possibly help those who suffer chronic pain. The training will help us manage our pain and our emotions better. The first skill we were taught was mindfulness. I was taught to observe life non judgmentally. To live in the present moment. To immerse myself in whatever I do.

So under the shower one day, I decided to practice my new skill. I revelled in the feel of soothing warm water on my skin. I listened intently to the sound of the water gushing out of the shower. I placed my head under it with my shower cap on, and discovered how much louder it sounded when water fell on my shower cap! I watched little drops of water on the cubicle glass moving downwards, that looked so much like tadpoles, the way I used to watch raindrops on my car windows when I was a child. It was then that I realised with startling clarity, that mindfulness was what children do best.

They are experts at living in the moment, aren't they? They have a delightful sense of wonder! They laugh out loud and often. Little children trust their parents to take care of them. And so should we. They live in the present. And so should we. They immerse themselves in their little world, not worrying about the future because they are know they are safe in their Father's care. So should we!

The Easter story brings hope to a hurting world. Jesus conquered sin and death for all of us for all time. We know how our story ends. A brilliant and beautiful ending. So let's live as if we believe it. May we learn then how to regain our childlike sense of wonder and joy. God took care of the first sin that brought sin, death and suffering into the world. He freed us. And He has promised to take care of the rest. All of it. His Word assures us that we can trust Him to work all things for our eternal good.

This Easter, let's you and I become little children who bask in their Father's presence, finding joy in the now, lavish with our love towards one another (as little Jo' Anne was towards me), giving ourselves to Him and to His kingdom. Jesus died so we could live. We can repay the debt in a small way by living lives that please Him, being aware of His constant presence, trusting in His love and care, living as children of the King of kings, so that others would be drawn to Him.

Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:3

Trust in the Lord, with all your heart. Proverbs 3:5

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life. Matt 6:25

Whatever is lovely … think on these things. Phil 4:8

Be joyful always. 1 Thess 5:18