Last week, I came home from work to find my mother and grandbabies watching some children’s show in which these very baby-like characters sing revamped children’s songs. After about 10 minutes, I felt my intelligence waning. I asked if we could watch something different? Begrudgingly, they acquiesced.
Yesterday, same. I asked Kameron, who is 6.5 years old, “why do you want to watch this? It’s for babies.” He replied, “I like it. It’s happy!” I kept my opinions to myself after that because aren’t we all just looking for a bit of happiness?
As God would have it, this morning on my way to work I was listening to the BEMA Discipleship podcast featuring Aussie author and pastor, Mandy Smith. Intrigued by the idea of a female lead pastor, I listened intently. She was speaking on her new book, Unfettered: Imagining a Childlike Faith beyond the Baggage of Western Culture.
I am starting to feel a theme coming on…
I sit down at work. Answer emails. Check texts. I happened upon a video my sister sent on Monday that I forgot about and watched it. It is about the man who conducts the symphony of confetti released on Times Square every New Year’s Eve. His first job ever? Balloon guy at Disneyland. This gets me thinking about Disney and Walt which leads me to Bob Goff and finally lands me BOOM smack dab in the middle – whimsy!
I know that might seem like “squirrel” or a rabbit hole to you but this week, God has been poking at me. Childlike. Whimsy. Happiness.
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4 AMP)
When you look at a child, what do you see?
Potty training can feel like a full‑time job, and so much of it hinges on the child’s personality. Strong‑willed little ones especially want to feel in control, which can make any kind of discipline a bit of a showdown. Ferris, Keller, and Kameron were all surprisingly easy. Somehow, I managed to find the magic key for each of them. Give a child the right potty‑training key and presto, everything clicks. But when THAT key stays hidden and your kid is fiercely independent, time and patience become your best allies.
Josephine is potty training.
More than once this week, my family has erupted in cheers—not because Effie was peeing on the floor (sometimes just inches from her training chair), but because she’s finally starting to notice when she’s going. We celebrated right alongside her when the poop from her training panties was discarded into the toilet and she proudly shrieked, “Look! I poo‑pooed in the potty!” And when she woke up dry from her nap, sat on the potty, and actually tinkled in it, she earned a treat for such a big milestone.
Josephine isn’t discouraged by her mistakes. Her whole life doesn’t come to a screeching halt because there is poop in her trainers. She just walks over to the adult on hand and asks for help. She feels no condemnation. Jo continues to believe in herself; knowing, eventually she is going to get her pee and poop in the toilet.
I think this is EXACTLY what Jesus is trying to communicate to us when He tells us to be like a child and He means for us to be this way with each other and ourselves.
Children are by no means perfect. They do not sit still…much. Kids fight and cry. They are demanding and pensive. Sometimes too loud or too energetic. But they also cuddle and kiss and hug. They sing and dance. They learn to say no before yes. Forget easily. Don’t hang onto the past. Ever forward facing. Choose happiness.
I love watching my grandbabies. It feels like I won the lottery when Effie decides to love on me. Kameron on the other hand is more liberal with his affection. His hugs linger and he likes to peck kisses all over your face until you laugh. Both are first born and headstrong. Both push limits and seek adventure. Yet, they are very different little people. Having similar attributes NEVER means they are same.
We are no longer too loud or too energetic out of worry for other’s perceptions. We fight but passive-aggressively, forgetting there is an actual person behind those words and photos on our screen. Some only cry when they are alone, hiding their pain while others projectile vomit their pain because their misery loves company. We want it all and we want it now (please have heard the Queen lyrics there). Nothing holds our attention for long. If you want something, you’ve got seven seconds to make an impact. There are very few people with whom we share true intimacy or community.
We forget all about being whimsical.
Everything you were as child…carefree, flamboyant, open minded, open hearted, trusting, forgiving, self-confident, humble…is gone. You grew up and threw the baby out with bath water.
I think we NEED to run out into that field and find that baby! It is NEVER too late to reconnect with that child God created. Curate those characteristics that bring us closer to Him. Go outside. Put your feet in the grass. Lay on the ground and look up at the clouds. Close your eyes in the sunshine and bask in the heat and light. Stare up at the stars. Dance! Sing! Worship! Praise! Throw off religion and dogma. Sink deeper into the text. Read it yourself. Ask questions.
KNOW that eventually your poop will hit the toilet and finally be flushed away. #insertcheeringcrowdnoisehere
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