Article May 9, 2016 Issue

Ways children teach us

Dilys Bell

Spending time recently with two of my grandchildren and their parents on a beach holiday reminded me of how much we can learn from children. My grandson, who was three, had been eagerly anticipating spending time at the seaside and could not wait to get on the beach.

As we stepped onto the warm, golden sand, a beautiful smile spread across his face and stayed there all afternoon. My granddaughter, who was seven, enthusiastically jumped over the waves with her grandfather, my husband, laughing with delight in the warm sea. Their enjoyment was infectious. Who couldn’t be uplifted in the presence of such pure joy?

The Bible reports that Christ Jesus’ disciples tried on at least one occasion to deny young children access to the Master. Apparently they thought the children would bother this busy man. Jesus was “much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” (Mark 10:14, 15). We constantly learn the need to become childlike on our spiritual journey.

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