Jesus Loves Me

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all."  Mark 10:15


     I love to watch my friends child at church.  She jumps up and dances without abandon each week as we have a time of worship.   She doesn't care who sees her.  This is a time between her and God, and it's as if none of us were in the room.   That is so cool.  Children are not afraid of being embarrassed.   I think that we need to be more childlike sometimes.
     On Christmas eve we sang a song that I have not heard since my childhood.  It was one of the first songs that I ever remember learning.  The song was called "Go Tell It On The Mountain".   Such a cool song.  And there are others.... There are a few children's songs that I often sing to myself as I drive my car or putter around the house.   I don't know all of the words because I was not raised in the church but I sing them anyway... or at least what I can remember of them.   One says "Jesus loves me, this I know.  Cause the Bible tells me so... la, la, la, la, la, la, la.  We are weak but He is strong.  Yes Jesus loves me. Yes Jesus loves me. Yes Jesus loves me.  The Bible tells me so..."   (the la, la's are because I don't know the words that belong there).   Awesome song, so simple, so basic, and yet it says so much.  There is another song that goes "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.  Let it shine, let it shine let it shine...."
     I hope that some day my friends who like music can teach me these songs and more...then I can really sing them.... For such simple little songs they bring me much joy.
     We need to be able to receive God's kingdom like children do...  
     When my father died; my young niece was quite upset.  She missed him.  Trying to ease her pain, I explained that he was with God now.  And I went on to tell her how when people go to live with God, there is no pain, no suffering, no trouble breathing or walking or running.  That no one needs oxygen or canes or wheelchairs.   Her eyes brightened.  She thought for a moment and then she said.  "Well I did ask God if he was ok, and He said he was."   Then after a few more moments of conversation about living with God, she said that she wanted to give her grandfather a hug.  She just reached out and did a big "air hug".  And then she exclaimed, "I think I might have squeezed him too hard."   THAT IS FAITH.  Childlike faith.  We need to be able to keep it simple, and not overanalyze things.  Trust it to be true.   And allow ourselves to be awed by how great God is.  We need to be able to give ourselves freely to God.  And our lights will shine... and the world will see... and maybe, just maybe... they might want to get them some of that....kind of like how I feel when I watch my friend's child dance for God.  It's got to make you wonder...
     Dear Lord,  help us to simplify our lives and to see Your greatness in everything around us.  And let us love You without abandon, the way You love us.... Help us to just believe, without question, like young children do.   And please help us to shine our lights so that maybe someone might see the light and decide  that they want to get them "some of that".  Please use us, make us Your tool.