Jesus Loves The Little Children

No wonder Jesus loves the little children.

What a mercy that they are so resilient. What a joy that they are so carefree. What a glory that they are so pure.

I love that when I'm being selfish...ahem...taking myself too seriously, the Lord strikes my children selectively deaf, causing them to just smile and start letting the nuerons fire randomly.

Here's me and Cuddlebug in the bathroom stall of our favorite Mexican restaurant:

"Hurry up on the potty, sweetie. Mommy's dinner is getting cold."

To which she responded:

"I think they should put a little play kitchen right here by the toilet paper so I won't be bored when I'm *doing my business.*"

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I love that when my lazy habits...um...lack of discipline overtakes me, the Lord gives me a sweet peek into what it's like to think like a child.

Here's me and Dumpling in the van today, still parked in the driveway on the way out to run some errands. After I've looked through my purse for my cell phone:

"Oh. My phone's not in here. Oh well, I guess we don't have a phone today."

To which she piped up:

"That's o.k., Mommy. I have a really loud voice. And I'm really fast!"

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I love that the Lord lets us rusty, scarred, musty and marred folks raise these "clean slates." What a humbling wonder it is to see His Word working as a strong filter for all they are learning.

Here's me asking Fifi about a perfectly new, hardback book that she left off reading in the middle because she wasn't comfortable with some of the thematic elements:

"Well, Fifi. Did you mean to throw this away in the garbage? I wonder if maybe..."

To which she answered:

"I feel like if I think it's not good material for me to read, I don't want to be the one giving it to someone else to read. I just don't want to be responsible for that."

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I wonder if the Lord loves me ? I mean...I know He does. But I wonder if He loves me like He loves the little children?

Have I given Him any reason to smile or delight in me this week? Any reason at all?

Could He smile at me because I cheerfully persevered through the hard work of learning or practicing a new skill like I was able to smile at Dumpling who persevered with her crochet needle and chain?

Could His heart be warmed by my satisfaction in small victories as my heart soared by Cuddlebug when she announced after devotions, "I can do two things: braid and sewing...um, knitting...I mean crochet."

Could He delight in my playfulness as I delighted in Fifi as she bounded in circles around the kitchen, twirling and giggling like an 11 year old without a care in the world?

My dishes are done. The house is tidy. Everyone is fed. The laundry is accomplished -- mostly.

But did I find the joy?

And just as important: did I share the joy?

This is my heart's prayer. For all and each of the rest of my tomorrows.