by Dona Hake
I can remember being at a store last fall and a young lady rang up my order and she asked me how I was and I replied, “I’m so blessed!” She answered, “That is great!!” She proceeded to share with me how she went hiking for the first time ever that morning. She went on to say that she just moved here and had never been exposed to anything but a hot climate all of her life. Her eyes lit up and she said, “I am so anxious for fall. I have never seen a leaf change and I have never seen snow! Oh my…I cannot wait to see it snow!!!”
This young woman was so precious as she shared this with me. Her eyes just danced with anticipation, joy and excitement. As I walked away I began to think about her childlikeness and how it was so refreshing. As I walked away I felt lighthearted and refreshed as I reflected on our conversation, and how sweet she was. The whole thing encouraged my heart to be reflecting upon the importance of keeping a heart of childlikeness no matter how old I am. When I think of children I think of innocence, energy, trust, and their honesty. Children are always looking forward to something.
Why is it the more we “grow up” that we sometimes find ourselves losing the heart of a child? I believe the more we try to carry our own burdens the less our hearts enjoy the simple things in life. Jesus wants our hearts to be free from the burdens and cares of this life. He asks that we lay our burden on Him because His burden is light. He well understands the stress that cares and worry bring to the heart of man. Not only do they rob our joy but it robs us from living a life of enjoying all the good things He has surrounded us with. I believe the reason Jesus exhorted in Luke 18:16 that none of the children be hindered is because he loved all the attributes that children brought into His presence! In order to live in faith we have to keep it simple.
I know I share this often but it really does minister to my own heart. Keep it simple! Purpose to simplify your life. Don’t complicate and overbook your life that you have no time to just enjoy the free and fun gifts that are out there for you. God desires that we grow in our trust, stay energetic for Him, forgive, love and always be looking forward to what He is going to do in our lives!
Psalm 116:6 (TLB)
“The Lord protects the simple and the childlike…”