One of my favorite quotes is from St. Augustine – “Lord take my sin – but not yet.” Yet, one of the truest quotes takes many forms, but the essence of it is we should be more like children. Take Allen and Lyla for instance. They have not made up their mind yet about what is and is not possible. If I tell them they can’t do something or go somewhere they ask, “Why?” They have no preconceptions about reality; and if Suzy tells them that underneath a certain tree in the park is a magic place, they won’t go there immediately, but sooner or later, we’ll find them playing under the tree and indeed the place will have become magical. Children know how to accept a gift. There is no guilt associated with receiving it, no — I don’t deserve this, and no – I must reciprocate. A child simply takes it with joy. Finally, Lyla and Allen know how to trust. If a strange sound in the night wakes them or frightens them they go to their father and take his hand and him follow him wherever he chooses into the dark.
Jesus taught us to have such a relationship with God. To believe that anything is possible, and when we are faced with barriers to confront them with a persistent – Why. To imagine and play, and to find magic in the simplest of things. To accept God’s gifts freely without guilt or a burning need to earn them before we can enjoy them. Finally, at those times when we feel alone, afraid, and scared to go to God in prayer, and then follow him into the darkness.
Leave a Reply +