Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 4, 2023
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, Look at Christ through the eyes of a child!
Isn’t it funny how some things you thought you would never do become the greatest blessings of your life? When I was young, I liked school. Where I grew up, you had to purchase your textbooks, and I remember going to the local market just before the beginning of school, and there would be boxes of textbooks sitting on the floor near the counter with the cash register. It was exciting to see the books for your new grade, and when we got home, I would excitedly look through each one. For families with several children, you would keep your books for use by the next child.
We would use those books to “play school,” and we would take turns being the teacher and the students. I remember those days as being a lot of fun. A family of teachers surrounded me: mom, dad, uncle, and aunt. Despite the happy memories of “playing school” and being the teacher, I had no desire to be a teacher as I reached graduation. I was going to be a musician.
While I was in college, I determined that I loved learning new things, and I drifted from one major to another in the quest for learning. Of course, this meandering through different majors hinders your college graduation goal. I honestly did not know the answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It took quite a few years, but when I finally arrived at an answer, I became a teacher. When I consider my life, it’s funny how that happened.
Most of my years as a teacher came with elementary-age students, and my greatest blessing during those years was the chance to view things through the eyes of the children I taught. Teaching the young keeps you young. When you live among those who still view the world with awe, you can’t help but see this too. It is beautiful to see through their eyes that are not tainted by the cynicism that plagues adults. Children see a world of possibilities that lies before them.
When we are children, we know that some are older and wiser and those who will care for us and protect us from harm. As we age, we develop a bit of arrogance as we navigate our lives. How often is our first response to do it alone because we think that we’ve got this or perhaps I’m supposed to be able to handle this? Children are blessed to believe in the power of their creators. For a child, it is not a sign of weakness to call for help.
When we see God through the eyes of a child, we are blessed by all that God provides for us! Let the inner child that lives within you lead you, and you will be blessed as you see our awesome God. It’s okay to call upon God for a hand when you need help.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. Blessed are the children of God, for they shall see their Lord. Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Every day, I can grasp the guiding hand of Jesus.
Embrace your inner child! Pastor Liz
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