"He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, 'Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:2-3
I sat there, thinking this morning, about what qualities of children Jesus wants us to emulate. I came up with quite a list! Children are honest and trusting, for two things right off the top of my head. They haven't yet learned to doubt or fear others. They are accepting of others, too, not yet learning the adult technique of judging others before they even know them. Children are loyal, often sticking up for family who may not even deserve their loyalty. Children are creative, until they learn they have or do not have certain gifts, they create like they can do anything. Children can bring out the best in others; who can resist smiling at a baby after all? Children in the time of Jesus were not particularly valued. So, Jesus telling the people that they must become like children to enter the Kingdom of heaven, must have really surprised those listening! Let's think about some of these child-like qualities and act on them as we move through our autumn Thursday...especially the one about bringing out the best in others. Love, heidi
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