A while back, I was listening to a message from Gladys Aylward, and I was so encouraged by her mother's heart:
"I watched the older ones [grow up and leave home]. And each time it broke my heart; I prayed to God for them. He had given them over to me to love and to bring up. And I prayed and longed that they should go out to be the testimony and the witness which I longed to be in the place where they were going" (1).
This world sees children as an inconvenience, a financial drain, or perhaps a lifestyle accessory. But we know, as believers, that children are such an amazing gift from God (Ps. 127:3), and "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth" (vs. 4). Every time I have the joy of capturing photos of kiddos, I reflect on how sweet and precious they are. Yes, they're energetic and love to get into things, but look at that creativity and heart to explore! Yes, it can be hard to get their attention and have them smile at the camera, but watch the wonder in their eyes; I love how sweetly and carefully they study the world at their tiny fingertips. There is a certain quality about child-likeness that God desires to be present in our faith: "And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:2-4).
So, I'm curious, in a world that finds a million things inconvenient about children, what is something you love about kids?
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1. Gladys Aylward, around minute 11 http://ia600504.us.archive.org/35/items/SERMONINDEX_SID0952/SID0952.mp3
I love this! Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about how kids are such creative artists and I think it’s so sad that as we grow older we loose that through the responsibilities of adulthood, I’ve been inspired to think more like a child when I write/paint! Love your thoughts friend!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Lizzy! Kids truly have a wonder-struck, free-spirited approach when creating anything--coloring a picture, making a house out of mud, etc.--they infuse awe in their artistry no matter what they're doing. They can definitely serve as an inspiration to us adults to create with all our hearts regardless of imperfections or other's like or dislike. Thanks so much for reading!
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