Like a Child

Featured Photo: That pitiful looking kid with the big head and little shoulders was taken about sixty-three years ago when I was about three years old. I still look like that when I’m in my Heavenly Father’s arms.

Most little kids will wear whatever you pull out of the drawer. It does not matter if it is purple checked pants with an orange stripe shirt. Their hair can be a mess, with candy smeared across their face, and they will still meet you at the door with a chocolate smile. Their self awareness has not yet morphed into pride.

Kids will hitch a ride with you on a bicycle, four-wheeler, or a helicopter never questioning if you can drive. They only want to enjoy the ride. They just believe and trust.

Children never wonder if the electric bill is paid, where the groceries came from, or if the rent has been paid. They just want to sleep in the same bed as the night before.

They believe whatever we tell them from eight-foot rabbits who lay eggs to reindeer that fly. So we need to be certain tell them of the virgin who gave birth, and of her Son who died and rose again. I’m sure they will accept and believe what we say or ignore what we don’t.

Children could care less if you are a Presbyterian or a Pentecostal, just so you love Jesus and try to be like Him. They don’t really care if you sing out of a hymnal or off the wall, just as long as you have apple juice and yellow crackers in the shape of fish.

It makes no difference to them if the preacher spits fire and brimstone or tells sweet Jesus stories, they want someone to care, tickle their ribs, and to call them by name.

Lately, I have been praying to have the faith of a child. I have been walking with Jesus a long time, but the Spirit has stirred in me again to just believe. Believe—like a child. Simple faith from a simple heart, no conditions, no reasoning, no doubts, no “what ifs”. Just believe!!

Some of us old geezers have become too sophisticated in our ways. We can talk of sanctification, atonement, and pre-millennial eschatology but couldn’t believe God for the butter on our toast. I had rather have a child pray an awkward prayer over me than a bushel of skeptical Sadducees any day.

Along the way, we got saved but then got satisfied. “Don’t worry Jesus, we can take it from here!” But Jesus said, “…all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NKJV), but we came to think He didn’t really mean what He said. But, I’m going to believe…

Oh, for the faith of child, who just believes. The little fellow might not quote John 3:16 but believes wholeheartedly in the One who said it. Oh Lord, Your Word is not true because I believe it, IT IS TRUE, so I believe!

Lord, I have found nothing else in this world that makes sense but You! It is not a matter of choosing to believe, in my heart there are now no options but to believe. The worldly call me foolish and so I only smile. As a child with believing heart, I have found the hidden treasure stepped over by wing-tipped shoes. Give me the path of a foolish child believing than to end up an arrogant fool not seeing. I follow still and I believe!

I am a Child of God by His grace. I did not earn my way into His family but was born of His mercy and love. So I leave the feeble religion of man and cling to Him in love. I happily climb into His arms and carried wherever He chooses to go and so I believe.

If I live or die on this day or the next, it makes little difference. He takes me on His upward journey—and so, I live or die in HIs presence believing that He has something beyond here for me.

My Father, I do not have to see to believe, but I see, once I believe. Nothing is impossible for You; when I am with You, everything seems possible to me. And so I believe!

My years are getting long, and my hair is already gray, but my Father when I melt in Your loving arms, I am still that child once again. I believe! Yes, I believe! I believe!

“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Mark 10:15 NKJV).

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt

PathwayOutreach.org