Becoming Like Little Children

Matthew 18:3 And [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

I sat on my front step and looked at the blossoms coming from the euphorbia.

 

 “You bloom?” I asked. (I talk to my plants all the time. I think they appreciate it.)  I had no idea it did. I just knew it had pointed leaves, lasted a long time, and was easy to grow. That’s why I bought it.

I took my time and examined each flower up close and saw its intricate details. Each leaf had five shoots coming out of its center and each shoot had four yellow petals. Every petal sent out five flowers that had yellow blossoms with red centers. 

I looked more closely and saw that the more mature yellow flowers had two more yellow buds in the center.  I never would have noticed all this detail by just looking at it from a distance. Only when I spent ample time examining its features could I see how wonderful it was. 

Little children are often awed by things that we adults take for granted. They slow down and notice the smallest details of animals, flowers, and pictures we don’t even see. Their attention is captivated to the point where everything else is pushed to the background.     

I’ve often wondered why Jesus told his disciples to become like little children. I think believing what God says and trusting Him is part of it. But maybe slowing down to notice the details we often miss in the midst of our frenzied lives is part of it too. Maybe if we slow down, we can see things God wants to show us, and hear what He has to say to us.