Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 271 September 25, 2001
STONES

When I was a little boy, I was fascinated by stones. I was always fascinated by the variety of shapes, colours and sizes I could find.

Something like a clear piece of quartz or a shiny piece of mica could keep me fascinated for hours. Stones like that were keepers.

My mother was always finding my treasures in the pockets of my pants when she went to do laundry. I don’t think she was all that impressed with the ones I brought home.

There were skipping stones. Nice flat ones that just seemed to cry out to be thrown. We’d stand there for hours to see who could skip a rock on the water the most times or the furthest.

There were nice round throwing stones. They were ideal for hitting targets or for seeing who could throw the farthest.

Today, I could walk down and gravel path, and most days not pay any attention to the stones I was walking on. As adults, we often seem to loose our child-like sense of wonder.

It’s that way with God as well. Children seem to have a natural openness, trust and love for God that they don’t hesitate to share.

As adults we often don’t even think of God. When we do think of Him, we get formal, inhibited and loose our natural trust and openness.

Perhaps that’s why Christ calls us to have faith like children.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:1-5 NIV

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15 NIV

How’s your faith? Do you see God through the eyes of a child? Do you see Him through the rules of adulthood? Do you even see Him?

Until next time, may you see the wonder of God in everything. May you truly experience a childlike faith.

God bless.

Kevin