Article September 19, 2011 Issue

Preserving innocence in children

By Marilyn Wickstrom

A garden filled with blooming bright colorful flowers can only thrive as it is gently nourished and protected. Each plant needs to be cared for and kept free from harmful insects and weeds. Providing such a fertile environment has rewarding results. Each flower blends in a symphony of color and design in its own unique form and wonderful purpose. 

Like flowers, children need tender care and protection, too.  They extend and enrich our character and sense of compassion. I’ve found that as we cherish their God-given purity and goodness, we maintain in ourselves the same qualities that renew our receptivity and innocence, not only for our own life but for the world as well. They help preserve love and God’s presence of healing power in our lives. 

Mary Baker Eddy saw the need of maintaining childlike qualities as related in her book, Science and Health: “Children should be allowed to remain children in knowledge, and should become men and women only through growth in the understanding of man’s higher nature” (p. 62).