FAITH LIKE A CHILD – Matthew 18:3

 

 

 

 

Visiting my grandson Jonah is always a high energy experience -   lots of joy and exuberance for life going on there.  As my daughter, Genevieve was preparing dinner for the family; Jonah and I were working on pretend play dough cookies.  I was rolling and he was cutting and decorating.  He had picked out the cookie cutters that he wanted and placed them on the table.  As our cookie total was growing, I was noticing that we were getting quite low on the dough. 

As is my nature, I felt I needed to warn him that we were running out of dough and would not be able to complete all of the cookies he had anticipated.  “Jonah”, I said, “We are running out of dough and we will probably not be able to make those three last shapes.  Some of those cookie cutters are big and I only have this little piece of play dough left.”

Without batting an eye or even looking at me, he calmly said, “Yes, we will.”

Yes we will, I pondered.  Immediately, my mind went to what the Lord had been teaching me.  Part of the answer to our requests is always in the believing.  I thought I was quite good at this, but the Lord had begun to show me that my past disappointments had led me to put a wall of protection up.  I had become cautious.  Even my warning to Jonah was evidence of that.  I did not want him to be disappointed. 

“Lord?” I asked.  “Are you going to speak to me through this play dough and Jonah?  If this is so, I am ready.  Let me see what the faith of a little child can do.”  Normally, I wouldn’t even consider asking this, for I was sure to be disappointed because there was absolutely no evidence that this could be accomplished. 

I looked at the tiny piece of dough in my hands and decided I could roll it thin.  Maybe we could get 2 more cookies.  After all, there is a star shape left and we already made a star, so we don’t have to count that.  This gave me hope. 

But God didn’t need my help.  As I began to roll the dough thin for the 2 shapes, I began to feel God encouraging me not to settle for less.  Jonah had believed we could finish the last three cookie shapes and to my surprise . . . . not his, we did. 

Should I be surprised that God would speak to me through my grandson and play dough?  No, God says, unless you become like a little child.  To me, that means not letting past experiences cloud your vision.  Jonah has not had enough experiences to let this happen. 

According to your faith, be it unto you.  Matthew 19:29

All things are possible for those who believe.  Mark 9:23

4-3-2016