Article July 14, 1997 Issue

To "become as little children"

Sharon Slaton Howell

The scene from my office window that day might be seen every day someplace in the world: a puppy jumping all over a delighted little boy. But so heart-warming was this picture that it left a vivid impression on me. The sheer joy of living, the warmth and affection the puppy and the little boy were radiating, reached right across the street to me. Life's responsibilities were resting heavily on me, and this tender exchange lifted me right up mentally. And spiritually.

I say "spiritually" because I couldn't help thinking of something Christ Jesus said to his disciples. They had come to him with the question of who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. In response, Jesus called a little child to him and declared, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3).

If Jesus recommended childlikeness to us, and felt it to be of critical importance, we know it is a God-given requirement and it's for our own good. Such qualities as innocence, trustfullness, receptivity to good, teachableness, and obedience to our heavenly Father can be expressed by every last one of us!

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