“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord…” ({Psalm 127:3a NASB)
My great-granddaughter asked her mother a question laid bare that she was blessed with an exploring, curious, observing, inquisitive and extraordinary mind. The question was not one that I would have thought of at the age of four years old! While her inquiry, as expressed in an abbreviated form in the title above, brought about a sharable moment and a smile that quickly shifted to laughter, the full question revealed several lessons. One lesson was that children are cognizant of their surroundings. That should be a meaningful lesson to all parents, grandparents, guardians, and those who we entrust to care for our children; our young ones who are truly a gift of the Lord.
The full question, as I viewed it and continued to ponder on it, was something more than a statement that would qualify for a TV show about the things children say. He question was didactic; instructive. It taught about not taking the marvels of God’s creation for granted and informed that one should not ignore the incredible magnificence of His handiwork. And while I did not hear the question asked firsthand, as the story was shared with me by her grandmother, the tone and pitch of the voice also disclosed another lesson about children. Children are blessed with a compassionate side; not only for little siblings, but for even the gigantic, inanimate things in the universe. The full question could really be the jump start for a children’s book. Okay, you are saying, “What is the full question?” It went like this, “How does the moon get full since it cannot eat?” I’m telling you the full question sounds like the start of one of those mind challenging problems presented to advanced students in a physics or geometry class; classes where high level reasoning skills are required. My great-granddaughter obviously began with the premise that the moon does not eat and then she proceeded with her rationale thought processes by asking the full question: “How does the moon get full since it cannot eat?” There is another lesson! Children process things consciously and search for certain answers. As we bring up the children in our home, at whatever age, don’t forget that lesson! They process everything they hear you say or do.
Now if you choose to write a children’s book in the future, you better consult with my great-granddaughter first for permission. In the meantime, let this meditation cause you to see children in a different light. Oh they are taught by us, but in their innocence they also enlighten us; teach us many lessons. For example, another lesson is that they are open to learning. Knowing this, if you have a child, grandchild, or you are a young great-granddaddy like me, teach them according to the Scriptural advice found in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (KJV): “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
Children are a gift of God. That’s a great lesson! But wait! There is one more lesson to share before you continue your Monday morning activities and it will challenge you to have a mind like little children when it comes to learning what is right from our Master, Jesus Christ. Read the closing verse for the additional lesson and have a great day! Be blessed!
“Let the children alone; don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” (Matthew 19:14 MSG)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King