Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 6, 2023
Matthew 19:13-15
13 Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. 14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” 15 Then he blessed the children and went away from there.
Good Morning; Bless be children to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs!
Humans, especially adults, seem to think we know who can understand what. It goes back to this idea of labeling or boxing things and people. I’m reminded of our Psalm for Sunday: 4. What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? God gives us dominion over all creation, yet we are sorely lacking the necessary skills, as evidenced by the messes we make.
What if God put limitations on us? For example, she can’t do that because she is not the right height, or he can’t do that because his skin is the wrong color. God accepts us as we are and sees the worth and beauty in each of us. We are born of God, and God said it is good. We are God’s masterpieces.
As a teacher of young children, I pushed them to consider the possibilities, not accept the established norm. In my first years of teaching, I taught elementary music. While preparing my students for a concert, another adult listened to my third graders sing in beautiful harmony. She later told me, “How are they singing that song? Little children can’t sing in harmony!” I explained, “They can if you teach them! They don’t know that others say they can’t, so they learn, listen, and sing.”
Where would we be as a society if we all stayed within the boundaries of the known? I certainly wouldn’t be typing on this computer this morning, drinking my coffee, or even enjoying the comfort of my air-conditioned house. To discover new ways, better ways, we must seek them. Children are the most open to innovation because they see things with their hearts. They have yet to put on the blinders of cynicism that affect us as we move through the challenges and disappointments of life.
Who better than the children to see, understand, and follow Jesus? Teachers and parents often describe young children as sponges because they soak up and absorb everything presented to them. Maybe we need to wring out the cynicism, wrong-doing, and preconceived ideas from our adult sponges so that we are able to receive the living waters of possibility that Jesus provides.
Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Amazing God, We thank you for Your blessings. You created us, but we become worn and broken. You fix us again and again! Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God’s love is available to all people.
Embrace your inner child! Pastor Liz
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