Becoming a grandparent will change your life. That’s what they used to tell us and now that we’re experiencing it ourselves, we understand what they must have meant. There are certain things I see as I watch our granddaughter Norah grow, that I didn’t seem to take notice of when my children were that age. She’s sixteen months old as I write this. We have four sons, all adults now. Our first three were all born close together, which is why it was probably harder at that time to step back and savor certain moments.
One such moment occurred a few weeks ago when I found myself somewhat frustrated that Norah wouldn’t come to me but would so readily go to my wife and a few other folks. As she turned away from me when I put my arms out, I scooped her up and said, “Let’s go outside!” Her entire demeanor changed as we stepped out on the back porch. It was as if we had walked into another world. Suddenly, the little girl who resisted my attempts to hold her was content to be with me as I held her hand walking through the back yard. She was in a state of pure delight as she jabbered unintelligible words with a couple of “Pawpaws” thrown in here and there.
She picked up acorns and leaves, studying each one before gleefully looking for something else. She would break away from me sometimes to explore something else, yet ever so aware that I was still with her. Suddenly, I became acutely aware of the presence of God. I heard that familiar, still-small voice inside me say, “This is what my Kingdom looks like.” My eyes began to well up with tears as I felt foolish for the frustration I had experienced just minutes before. I was reminded of things Jesus had said in the gospels about little children and the kingdom.
One such reference is in Luke 18:15-17, “Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ ”
I watched her pick up an acorn and study it as she turned it in her hand, looking at every angle. An object that I had come to see as a nuisance because our porch and yard are covered with them this time of year, filled her with wonder. I personally believe that children come out of the womb with an innate ability to see God in everything. As they grow older, often times they learn to not see things this way. They learn cynicism from us adults and adopt our dualistic thinking.
How would my whole outlook on life change if I could regain that sense of holy wonder that I had as a little child?
What if I could come back to a place where I could see God in everything? In everybody?
How would my life change if I could learn true contentment?
It might not necessarily change the circumstances around me, but it would certainly change the way I see them. For when we see through the eyes of a child, the wonder of all that God has created becomes more alive to us than we could ever imagine.
I pray that as you and I begin this New Year, we’ll allow the cynicism and negativity that can weigh us down to fall off like scales from our eyes. We might be surprised at how we’ll learn to see the vastness and beauty of God’s kingdom. It’s everywhere. Let us become more aware of His presence with us all the time. Let’s learn to enjoy Him in everything we experience. May your New Year be filled with joy!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll step out on the back porch and study an acorn or two. Happy New Year!