Learning to ride a bicycle has been fun for my daughter. She is thrilled by the idea of learning something new and giggles all the way. When she falls down, she thinks it’s the funniest thing and squeals – “Mummy did you see how well I was riding before I fell off my bicycle!” Running beside her, I’m getting a much needed workout but I am also learning a lot about the right attitude to life. The power of perception and how it changes everything. Later that day, we practiced writing sight-words and my daughter was tickled by the similarity between “d” and “b” and how easy it is to mix the letters and write one instead of the other. She sat at the table giggling and having a great time learning! I stared at her in admiration. If only I could maintain my giggle through all of life’s learning moments.
It’s amazing how much we can learn from the way children embrace life. Most of us have lost the child in us but the truth is that we are God’s children, we are not God’s adults. Jesus encouraged us to be like little children. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15)
You can make a conscious effort to be childlike. You can determine to trust God. Refuse to worry and accept each day as a present (gift) from God. Let God take care of you, cast all of your burdens on God and let Him be your Father. Imagine how ridiculous it would be if a little child insists on taking care of herself: take a shower, get dressed (just imagine wild color combinations), get breakfast and head out the door to catch the school bus. Donning the button, “I dressed myself today”, the child steps out of the house proud of the accomplishments. One glance at the chaotic mismatch will convince anyone that the child is not old enough and should not be doing that. Yet that is how most of us are with God. Consciously or unconsciously, we insist on taking care of ourselves and making all our choices independently. As a result, we step into the day half-clad and ill prepared.
God wants to be your Father. He is saying “let me take care of you”. He wants to take that weight off your shoulder. He wants to help you with that problem. He wants to teach you what to say in that awkward position. He wants to provide for you. He wants to comfort you. He does not want you to go through life alone. He wants to walk you through life.
Take an honest look at your life, in which areas have you been trying to do it all? No man can prevail by human strength. Rely on God and let him help you through life. Let God be your Father and life will be a giggle.
