Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest. (Luke 9:48)

Read: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20, Luke 9:28-50, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 12:10

Relate: I had been walking for quite a while and I was a bit exhausted. My goal was to just get out and pray, see some new sights, and enjoy myself. Well, I had arrived at my destination and the walk plus my lack of sleep prevented me from enjoying my view like I should have. I was hungry. The clouds were rolling in and it would soon be raining. There was no way I would make it back to my starting point without getting wet. I had no umbrella and no money with me to purchase one. The prospect was not enjoyable.

Then I saw him. I was sitting on a bench on one side of this plaza when a little kid squeals with glee, breaks free from his mother’s grip, and storms right into the middle of a flock of pigeons trying to peacefully eat the seeds and elderly gentleman was throwing their way. The boy’s mother started to call him back but stopped herself with a bit of a smile. Three or four times this kid runs back and forth laughing and squealing with delight giving those poor birds conniptions. Finally, his mom did call him back (two or three times before she got his attention). The boy complained a bit then walked over, grabbed her hand, and continued on his way.

They had no umbrella. The rain was surely going to come down on that boy just as it would on me. Already the drops had started falling, but he payed it no mind. There was fun to be had. There was pleasure to be squeezed out of life and, if he was lucky enough, a bird to catch. What point was there in worrying about what the future held?

React: I did start  my walk home in the rain. For the first half mile or so I was getting wet and I enjoyed it. I stopped to have a brief chat with a restaurant host trying to convince me I should come in, enjoy a meal, and dry up a little. Walk on. Just on the other side of a bridge I crossed I noticed someone had left an umbrella next to a dumpster. It was perfectly fine except it wouldn’t stay shut. No worries, I didn’t need to shut. God provided for my heart with the little boy then He provided for my physical needs with a discarded umbrella. Just before returning home I dropped that umbrella off, still open, at another trash bin for the next unlucky traveler. Before I had turned a corner, it was gone and my smile was just that much bigger. Let the rains come. I’m gonna live this life like a child.

Respond: 

God, help me to enjoy life more. I know there is a time to get serious, grab Your hand, and keep walking this thing called life, but there is also a time to just let go, scream with glee, and chase the birds. Help me to embrace those moments. Give me the childlike fortitude to stop worrying so much about the future that I might enjoy the gifts You have for me in the present. Help me to treasure and learn from the kids in my life so that I can better understand the greatness of Your kingdom.