March 17, 2018
Luke 18:9-17
16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Hard but so simple to do. Remember early childhood memories. Everything was so new, so bright, shiny, and exciting. Emotions ran rampant and were so honest and open. Smiles turned into belly laughs that would make you roll on the ground with joy (until a grown up frowned and said “stop, that is unseemly”). Unhappy kid things (my puppy was hurt or a baby bird fell out of the nest) were total devastation. We loved everything from green grasshoppers, to rainbows, to the biggest thing in our life, family. We trusted and believed, without question, knowing that someone would always be there to kiss our boo-boo, laugh when we laughed, cuddle us when we hurt, would show us the way and protect us.
Simple to claim the Kingdom of God? Yes when we stop listening to our head and listen to our “child’s heart” and acknowledge and accept THE GIFT.
Devotion by Guy Rippy