There were six ordained people in church on Sunday. Just one of them was scheduled to speak, and he invited the children to participate. Kids went up to join him and were willing to do whatever he asked. A little girl sitting in the back ran to be included. The task was simple enough, putting figures on a flannel board.
But their eagerness had not expired yet.
The minister asked questions, and a girl in front answered earnestly.
"Should we pick the flowers in another woman's garden?"
"NO!" There was certainty in her voice.
She answered his queries several more times, and each unselfconscious response rang with innocence.
The clarity of her voice, and the ease with which she expressed what was on her heart sounded like an angel. I wanted to be as confident as her.
Later a young boy raised his hand. The question was why people are bullies.
"It's because he feels less than everybody else and they are bossing him around. He feels overwhelmed so he says mean things to feel like a “someone”
But that is not the right thing to do because it hurts people’s feelings."
Bam. You know that feeling when you hear truth spoken? Many of us were astonished to hear such clear insights from a boy who has only seen a dozen Christmas trees.
I felt a surge of gratitude for the children in the room. They bring me closer to what is good.
"Bring the little children to me for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
-Matthew 19
