Let the Little Children Come
Monday, July 2, 2007 at 6:07 PM 
So, when and how do we cease to be childlike? Must we? Is it a requirement for adulthood? Jesus said, “Let the little children come.” It sounds so inviting. It certainly feels to me that I am closer to God in a childlike and simple state than in all the seriousness of adulthood.
When did things get so complicated? When did I become the grownup? Is there a button that gets pushed? Is it irreversible? I think the change begins when the world starts to press in. The negative messages start to come. “Don’t do this.” “Don’t do that.” “Don’t act like a child.”
Why the heck not? The kingdom of heaven is for the children of God. Get it? The children—not the grownups—the fuddy duddies—the policy makers. Blessed are the poor, the meek, the humble. Who is more poor (and therefore rich) than a newborn babe? Who is more meek (and thus bolder) than a child who knows no condemnation? Who is more humble (and consequently more brilliant) than one who does not recognize (and yet somehow fully knows) his own beauty?
When does it change? Must it?
“We do not quit playing because we grow old. We grow old because we quit playing.” –Oliver Wendell Holmes
photo by geezer dude
Reader Comments (4)
Great post - and your daily food for thought quotes are delicious - OWH - I'm all for playing too!
Grateful for people like Lucy who invite us to remember and reclaim the child, and who ask necessary questions!! Blessings.
thank you, ladies! here's to the child in each of us!!!
Except for a fortunate few, I think it does happen to everybody. But it's not irreversible, especially when we become aware that it doesn't have to be, and we start working on the false self.