‘Children are a gift from the Lord’ (Psalm 127:3 ISV). Okay, so you might not be the kind that gets squishy-feelings looking at an E.T.-esque newborn’s placid face. You might not be the sort that could happily spend hours cartwheeling round a field with a six-year-old. But you still have something to learn from kids. They have a reckless innocence that we could all do with more of. Jesus knew it. He said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heave’ (Matthew 18:3 ESV). Kids don’t need to feel like they have it all sorted. Rather than worry what people think of the toys they left all over the living room, they’re focused on the joy they get from playing with what they’ve been given. We reckon it’s about time we shake off the self-consciousness that keeps asking ‘but what will people think’, and live the life in the way that God frees us up to do.
That includes showing grace, and not worrying about always being ‘right’. Sometimes, the worry of looking like we’ve lost an argument, particularly a theological debate, can sap the innocent, child-like joy of telling people about Jesus. It can also push them away. Question to take away (well, two actually): Are you known for being right, or for showing grace? Are you known for your joy, or your flawless always-having-it-togetherness?

What Now?
Do one of these today: 1) play on a playground, 2) buy something from an ice cream van (whatever it is must include sprinkles), 3) have a water fight. Extra points if you can do all three with a child you know.