Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
January 23, 2022
Read Matthew 18:1-5
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then he called a little child over to sit among the disciples, 3 and said, “I assure you that if you don’t turn your lives around and become like this little child, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Those who humble themselves like this little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Good Morning! Seeing pure love blesses us!
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the World. In my lifetime, I have been blessed to spend many hours each day with children, as a parent, as a grandparent, as a scout leader, as a teacher, and as a coach. It seems that we, as adults, work so hard to impart what we have learned to the young people in our lives that we forget that those we are busy teaching have much for us to learn as well.
To be honest, spending time with children isn’t all fun and games. Sometimes they try our patience and exhaust us. When they seem to not be listening or even trying, they are learning. Kids have been described as sponges when it comes to learning. The challenge is that they see everything. You may be trying to teach them to subtract two-digit numbers, and you show them many strategies and steps to complete the problem successfully, but all the while they are learning the “other” things that they see.
They are learning about patience, how to handle frustration, how to be kind, and many other things that are not part of the day’s lesson. As adults, we don’t consciously plan to teach those things in the midst of imparting our knowledge and wisdom but remember those children are sponges who absorb everything. The children see how we present ourselves and how we react and internalize this as the day’s learning opportunities. I know this is true because if you watch little children role play, you will see how they “teach” others. They mimic all our best and all our worst traits. It’s like looking in a mirror and seeing yourself with all the flaws and all of the strengths in one tiny package.
The amazing thing is that despite our failings and our successes, children are born with love in their hearts. Just when you think that there is no hope, you see a child share their pure love with someone. This love presents itself in a variety of ways: a handwritten note, a hug, a “gift” of their last cookie, or a smile. Sometimes we must let go of the lesson plan, and open ourselves to the learning opportunities surrounding us. I pray that we can all become like children and love one another unconditionally, so that we may enter the kingdom of heaven together.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We have so much to learn. Let us open ourselves so that we may grow and gain wisdom from all those in our lives. God Bless Us, Everyone! Thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: How do those around me teach me about Jesus?
Never stop learning! Pastor Liz
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