Today’s scripture: Matthew 18:1-4 and Matthew 19:13-15 (NRSV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tammy Mills):
In today’s scripture, Jesus takes time to talk about children and the role they play in the spiritual journey. Jesus was busy trying to teach all he could, because he knew his time here on earth was short, yet in the midst of all that teaching Jesus pauses to take children on his lap and bless them.
Can you picture Jesus stopping what he is doing and taking time for the children? Can you picture Jesus taking time for you?
In this teaching Jesus reminds me I shouldn’t listen to children and think “Oh… how cute!” Rather, if I am to grow my soul, I had better listen and learn! Jesus was adamant about including children in his ministry — and He made it clear that these little children can teach us.
I’m lucky (or at least 98% of the time I think I am lucky) to live with three children under the age of eleven. I have at times fondly referred to them as my “resident theologians”. If you examine the roots of the word “theologian” you will discover a theologian is someone who “talks about God”. When it comes to talking about God, no one does it more or with more insight than the little theologians in our house.
Here are a few lessens my resident theologians have taught me over the years:
- At a fireworks display my family attended, the littlest theologian loudly declared that Jesus was really excited. When I asked why, she told me, “Jesus loved his present! Jesus is sitting and watching the fireworks from heaven thinking — Wow!”
- Another conversation found us entering Wal-Mart discussing what heaven must be like. The theologians were pondering if we would have our current bodies or new ones. Would we see Grandpa and Chance? “Little Mom, since you are old, and will die soon (I AM NOT THAT OLD!) will you meet us in heaven?” On and on it goes.
- Another conversation found them debating how to listen to your heart. The theologians agreed that listening to the heart was the key to following God. They were also equally sure that God was speaking to their hearts right then and there.
I am lucky. My resident theologians teach me so much about how to live and grow my soul. I’m so glad that Jesus understood how important our littlest theologians are. Like Jesus, we need to take the wisdom of children to our hearts and grow from it.
Thought for the day: Do something “just for fun” — blow bubbles, jump rope, stand in a sprinkler, read a comic book. Humble your soul and learn from the “Little Theologians” in your life. Jesus did.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.