Mark 10:14-16 – [Jesus] said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (NIV)

I awakened one morning to something that seemed strangely silent. I lay for a few moments, and then I got up and opened the curtains. There it was: a blanket of snow — the insulation that God sends to cover the earth. It has the power to soften and silence everything.

I thought back to when I was a child: I had everything — skates, skis, a sleigh and a toboggan. Then, within walking distance, I had a park that covered acres of land, filled with hills and ponds. Winter truly was a winter wonderland, just for me. Yes, I had it all. God truly blessed me!

Then I remembered that it was just the same in summer. I had roller skates, a scooter, and a wagon. I had friends to play with, a school for education, a church for Sunday school.

Why did God choose all this for me?

This is a child's perspective on how things are.

At the time, my father had ill health, we rented a house, and everything we had was used. At Christmas, my dad took a used tricycle, fixed it up and painted it, and I thought it was the most wonderful bike on earth. This is the way a child sees things.

When God says we must be as a little child to enter His kingdom, I can see why. A child sees things in the charm of mystical simplicity. We need to see God in this very way, to accept things as they are, and form our minds in child-like ways. We are, as little children, to believe in God and accept His Son as our Saviour.

This is called faith, and it is the way we accept God into our lives — simply, without question, for it is He who chose us, not we who chose Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we come simply, just as a child. You have called us. You have blessed us with every good and pleasing thing. Help us to see things as a little child does. Though trouble may mount around us, let us see through to You and trust simply. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Anne Russell <annerussell80@gmail.com>
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
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