Ahhh...it feels good to write. It has been a while. Things have been busy busy busy. Prepping to graduate, finish the school year...just not a lot of spare time to sit and write. But i was so inspired today, i just have to share!
It was a GORGEOUS spring day today so i decided to take a walk around the neighboorhood. I love to take walks, and on these nice days it is especially fun because families are out in the yards. I have always loved people watching, so seeing families all together is fun. I think about what their story is, where they have been, where they are going. i love watching the kids run around in the green grass, or blow bubbles, or draw with chalk. i sometimes wonder what these families think about me...a girl with her hair in a messy bun, a t-shirt, jeans and converses (imagine that!) and usually an ipod. i must look like a loner. but, that's beside the point.
Today, as i was walking, i came to the house of a family that i often see outside. They are (in my mind) a very happy family. Mom, dad, little boy, maybe 5 years old, and a little girl, no older than 2. Whenever I see them out, the whole family is out. THey are always together. Today was no exception.
As i began approaching the house i noticed the mom bouncing a basketball with the little girl, and dad was mowing the lawn. And the little boy - guess what he was doing? following the dad. He didn't even have a mini-mower with him. no, he just followed the dad. If the dad went to the left, the boy went to the left. if the dad went to the right, the boy went to the right. if dad walked fast, the boy walked fast.
Whatever dad did, the little boy did the exact same thing. it was extremely cute. It got me thinking...
#1. i hope that dad understands and is in love with the fact that his son just wants to be with him. that his son looks up to him and wants to do everything he does.
#2. it made me think of my relationship with Jesus. do i follow His leading the way this little boy followed his dad? This boy completely trusted his dad. He trusted that his dad would not lead him into any danger or hurt. Do i trust my Heavenly Father in the same way? and if not, why not?
i think in my brain i want to follow like this little boy did. let God do the leading, and i do the following. trust Him with everything, knowing He will never lead me astray or into dangerous territory. Or that when things are tough, He is still right there.
the Bible talks a lot about children and childlike faith. this passage about children, in Mark, is one of my favorites:
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was
irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away.
Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom
in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
Mark 10:13-16 (The Message)
The Bible says that Jesus was irate, other translations say indignant, angry, and pained that the disciples tried to keep these children from Jesus. I love when Jesus said, "Don't EVER get between them and me." He wants to BE with these children. If that is how we are called to act, and live out our faith, in the simplicity of a child, then I have got some work to do. I think God wants to BE with us in that same way. He doesn't want anyone or anything else to get between Him and us.
I don't know if any of this even makes sense...all i know is that seeing this child today follow fearlessly behind his father made me long to fearlessly follow my Father. Trusting that He will lead me where He wants me to be. Not swaying left or right, but staying on the path that God has laid before me. I want to embrace the Kingdom of God in the simplicity of a child-not getting caught up nitty gritty sometimes, or trying to hard to understand everything that i lose sight of what is truly important, or what truly matters.
i've often heard the saying, "everything i need to know, i learned in kindergarten." while there may be some truth to that, i don't remember much about kindergarten. but what i can tell you is that everything i need to know, i have learned FROM a kindergartener. i have learned so much by spending time with kids. i am thankful for every chance i have to be with them...
well, as i said, i'm not sure if any of this made sense, but my prayer is that i might be like that small child. that nothing would get between me and my Father, but that i would follow my Father fearlessly and be blessed by Him.
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