I have found in my life that a very useful prayer practice is to ask for help to become more like a child.
If you are like me, at first it will feel strange to legitimately want to make yourself less knowledgeable and much weaker. That internal resistance is the reason why this practice is so helpful. It is a practice of denying yourself and once again looking at the world the way it was for intended us to look at it.
As a child we must have faith that there is a plan for our lives, put aside our superior reckoning skills, and trust the Way to guide our footsteps.
Since I began doing this, I have become more aware of how little children behave, and it has shown me more of what our lives should look like. The exact picture of children being children comes to mind and adults wanting them to go away so they can get to the important business makes me realize how lost we are.
We will be known by the fruit we produce and the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, and peace, not paying your bills, knowing your theology, and throwing an impressive dinner party.
We may say that we forget what it feels like to be a child, but luckily we have little examples playing among us. Here are a few things I’ve learned:
Uninhibited Fun
When was the last time you truly ran and played and had fun with laughter as your fuel? Children are fueled by a joy that defies comprehension. They are so much more connected to being human that they can feel a true smile through their being. The massive weight of social expectations slides easily off their shoulders as they laugh recklessly in public. Why is it so hard to just let go and have fun?
Boundless Potential
Unaware of the guidelines, a child moves in any direction, stumbling, staggering, and crawling. She is not aware of the multitude of useful excuses. She is undefined. Her own beautiful self. The world may have already made up their minds about her, but she is still free.
We too can be free. Just because it is easier to put ourselves into a pre-set mold and squash in the parts of us that don’t really fit, it doesn’t mean it is the way. You are you and you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Endless Fascination
When did trees and rain and cars and dogs become boring? You make think you have seen these things before or that you understand them, but look again. There is mystery and beauty in everything. God has his fingerprints on everything and when reach out and touch, God touches back. There is no excuse. Every time you see a tree you learn more about trees and it allows you to see them anew again, and the cycle repeats.
Trust.
As an adult I am not even sure if I know the true meaning of trust anymore. For me there is always a question. I always have to think about it. I can never let myself jump because what if I fall? I shudder to think of the amount of opportunities I have turned away from because I was afraid. Kids don’t bother to look down when you pick them up. It doesn’t matter how high you take them, they know you have them.
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