Jesus Christ was a big fan of kids. He scolded us wise and proud adults many times encouraging us to be more like children in our thoughts and approach to His Kingdom.
- Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
- Matthew 18:4 “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
- Matthew 19:14 “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’.”
Life is magical to kids. Why else would theme parks like Disney Land and Disney World be so popular with kids. They are magical. What’s ho-hum to us can be fascinating to kids.
A case in point. My 9 year old daughter Ashley LOVES to make lists. She recently copied a list called “41 Things to be Happy About” from a Justiss T-Shirt. Of course, I think the list is adorable. I share it to help us reconnect with the child-like spirit in all of us.
41 Things to be Happy About:
- Your favorite new song
- French braids
- Laughing until you cry
- Singing in the shower
- Sparkly shoes
- Getting an A in math
- Hugs
- Vacations
- Sleeping in
- Freshly baked cookies
- Cozy slippers
- Neon nail polish
- Finding change in the couch
- Sand castles
- Roller blading
- Picnics
- Weekends
- Helping someone
- Butterflies in your stomach
- Face paint
- Presents
- High fives
- Dancing in front of the mirror
- Making funny faces
- Handstands
- Birthday parties
- Swimming pools
- A new pet
- Pink lemonade
- Water slides
- Glitter
- Chocolate
- Fake tattoos
- Ice skating
- Best friends
- Drums
- Cotton candy
- Movie night
- Snow days
- Trampolines
- Boys
I’m secretly hoping that this list is in priority order and #41 doesn’t come until my daughter is at least 21 years old. 🙂
What About You?
So, which of these 41 things makes you the most happy? What would be on your list of things to be happy about?
What a great list. I think most of the things on your daughter’s list would make me happy too. But the #1 item on her list for me would be hugs. You can never have too many hugs. I would add things like my kids, my husband, my cats, babies, peanut butter, the ocean, rain, butterflies and bees. But what makes me most happy are “God sightings,” those times when you clearly see God’s hand in circumstances, and you just smile, or even laugh out loud, and tell Him how much you love Him. Perhaps we would be able to be more like a litlte child if we realized that we really are still children, from the perspective of eternity. On this earth, we learn, we grow, we mature, but we will never be there, never fully matured and complete, until we see Him face to face. This world is like a nursery, a training ground. Not all will make it, but those who “graduate” get to join the real world with the rest of the grown-ups, the place C.S. Lewis called “more real than real.”