Reflect
As I walked down a snowy street, a child emerged from the neighborhood school bus, and I began considering what I might say as we passed each other. Should I smile and joke about the single-digits cold, or perhaps mention how his arduous school day was finally over? But as he came near, and waved to me–a stranger–with his wide woolen mitten bobbing, he began whistling and skipping. I had no need to offer any sort of sympathy, because he was showing off his joy. He skipped away in the slush, each one of his leaps arcing in a half-circle. Today, reflect on Jesus’ words from Matthew 18: 5: “Whoever receives one child in my name receives me.”
Pray
Today, God, help us just receive
the magic and beauty of any children around us.
Perhaps this grace comes from our own children,
or grandchildren,
nieces and great-nephews,
our students, the athletes that we coach,
babies who sit near us at church as they are rocked
in the arms of their fathers.
And while we pray for them, help us see
that they radiate so much joy
in the moment.
Help us take down every barrier in our adult lives—
cynicism, hurt, our own childhood wounds—
to welcome their perfect hearts, as Jesus does.
Act
If you have a photo of yourself as a child, take a few minutes to look closely at it, and see yourself through the eyes of Jesus, claiming you as the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
