One of the teachings of Jesus is: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 18:3].

When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be presented, they met two elderly adults who were able to look at the world with the awe and wonder of children – Simeon and Anna, both of whom experienced God’s presence in the baby Jesus.

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees explains that when we have the wonder and awe of a child, we are more open to learn. He claims it’s never too late to regain the qualities we had as children, to live our lives in wonder and awe.

Listen to the episode below, or continue on to read the transcript.

Episode Transcript:

One of the teachings of Jesus is: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 18:3].

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with humanity. No wonder Jesus taught what grown-ups need to really grasp and understand. When we have the wonder and awe of a child, we are more open to learn. Children are already blessed and have something that most adults lack. Children are generally affectionate, self-confident, tolerant, helpful, cheerful, independent, curious, imaginative, reliable, generous, full of wonder and awe – to name just a few qualities. They trust and accept, rather than doubt.

Children, in their better moments, display important traits that we adults ought to imitate. If we had the wonder, awe, creativity, trust, and the innocence of a child, perhaps this world would be a better and more productive place in which to live. Think of the divine spark of uniqueness that lies within you.

Often children know that God exists, as St John the Evangelist recognised with his words in 1 John 2:14. “I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father.”

When you look into the eyes of a child, one of the first qualities that strikes you is their innocence. They have the lovely ability to speak truth, they do not wear a mask, nor do they pretend to be anything other than that which they are.  Anthony de Mello said: “A child is exactly like the rest of Nature. A dog is a dog; a rose a rose; a star a star: everything is quite simply what it is. Only the adult human being can be one thing and pretend to be another. … The child, like the innocent animal, surrenders to its nature to be and become quite simply what it is” [A Year with Anthony de Mello].

When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be presented, they met two elderly adults who were able to look at the world with the awe and wonder of children – Simeon and Anna, both of whom experienced God’s presence in the baby Jesus. Simeon recognised the Lord God, even though Jesus was only an infant. Simeon knew his Shepherd. The prophet Anna also saw and praised God.

Too frequently we adults become so absorbed in our own busy-ness, the hustle and bustle of our days, we ‘can’t see the wood for the trees.’ We can be so focused on everything else we fail to hear God’s gentle whisper in our hearts. We can be so busy being busy we miss it even when God is screaming our names, trying to get our attention. We can fail to see God in others. Yet, God is God-with-us!

Just as our children listen to us when they are babies, we too must take baby steps. Thankfully God, a patient and loving Father, is willing to teach us slowly if necessary. After all, God is the God of second chances!

The great cellist, Pablo Casals said, “When will we teach our children in school what they are? We should say to them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the world there is no other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child like you – look at your body: What a wonder it is; your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move. You could become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up can you then harm another who is like you a marvel?”

I am so blessed to have learned so much from children – my daughters. sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, the primary school students who were such a part of my life through the 4 years of school chaplaincy, my years as a Cub and Scout leader, the children I coached in hockey….

Philosopher and historian William James said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.” Although I am a slow learner, and slow to take control of the life-shaping power of my attitude, thankfully God has been ultra-patient and now I have the wisdom of a child.

It’s never too late to regain the qualities we had as children, to live our lives in wonder and awe. After all, those qualities remain within!

The kingdom of heaven belongs to the innocence of childhood, living fully, blissfully being yourself. Children are so often in a state of wonder and awe. No wonder they slip easily into the Kingdom. Shouldn’t we?

 

Have a golden day and treasure life!

And look for the Silver Lining.

This is Terry Lees

[Music: My Wish – Rascal Flatts]