As A Child

Have you ever found yourself wanting to crawl under a rock when your child says something that could be embarrassing to another person? My son once asked a woman ‘where all her fat came from.’ Seriously? All I could think was “tell me he didn’t just say that.” Yes, he just said that and this was one of those times I wanted to crawl under a rock. As embarrassing as that was, I was not angry with my child and I did not run away and hide.

A child’s response to what they see can sometimes be brutally sincere and honest. The more I thought about this scenario, and as I related it to honest truth, the more I realized I needed to be like a child - without reservation or worry when I come to God in prayer.

My thoughts often spin around and around as I try to find the right words to say to God (as if I needed to make a good impression). God doesn’t need fancy words or for us to strive to make a good impression. No, He wants us to approach Him just the way we are. After all, He made us, and He understands. God desires that we have a child-like perspective and come to Him with everything that’s on our mind. He promises to meet us where we are in that moment of honest truth.

I have learned that approaching our Father in prayer simply means talking with Him and spending time with Him. My prayer is that we could all go to our Father without worrying about what we say or how we say it - as a child would. Is it any wonder that Jesus encouraged the little children to come to Him? Little children typically do not have a large vocabulary. They say it like it is, and they let you know how they feel; they hold nothing back.

So, I encourage you to forget about perfection and simply go to God in prayer. Go as you are. Then teach your children to do the same - no matter their age.

Matthew 6:7 “When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

Matthew 19:14 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”