Children always share traits of their parents; there's no getting away from it, even when - usually as teenagers - we want to distance ourselves from our folks.
As a child of the Divine, what traits do you see in yourself that reveal something of your heavenly Parent? In these next few moments, take a look at yourself in the mirror of Scripture and see the lines of your glorious heritage there.
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16
In the time of Jesus, children were nobodies. Most adults saw them only as mouths to feed until they were old enough to work. But Jesus saw something else. It was something so important that he said being like a child is the only way to enter the kingdom of God.
I think what Jesus saw was imagination. Children imagine things all the time. They make up fantastic stories about amazing characters who fly way beyond the limitations of this world.
Like children, saints and prophets are blessed with wild imaginations. They imagine a world without slavery. They imagine a world with plenty of food and clean water for all, full of joy and love and fairness. Because they have seen it, they can draw it closer for the rest of us.
Can you see God’s kingdom in your imagination? Then you can enter it. Spend time there; and tell the world what you see.
Sarah Councell Turner
Dear God, thank you for the wild imagination of children, saints, and prophets. Spark my imagination so I can see your kingdom and help make it a reality in this world. Amen.
Day by day,
Oh, dear Lord
Three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.
Richard of Chichester, adapted