today i made the mistake of catching the eye of one of these little people. suddenly, i realized i was in over my head; caught in a staring match i couldn't win. i had driven a go-cart to a nascar race, and i knew i was about to be lapped like milk in a saucer. it must've been three minutes before my eyes watered over and i had to look away.
today, though, my fascination and open-eyed amazement at God's intricate investment in humanity wasn't enough. i had encountered one who was even more-so amazed, and i humbly took a back seat to a fairly inept bundle of cells and structures with honest eyes so absorbing and engaging that the deepness of my own seemed like shallow mud puddles in comparison. as i timidly held tiny mackenzie up to myself, unsure of whether i was worthy to handle such a precious creation, i realized again how miraculous every-day life is. here, cradled in my arms and smaller than a microwave box, there rested a being who would grow and suffer, learn and forget, bring joy to others and occasionally cause them pain. certainly, she could be the next hitler or mother teresa, but such menial notoriety and recognition is fairly insignificant in comparison to the mere expanse of experience and influence this one tiny person would have. she will love and be loved, laugh and bring joy to others, grow and take on an identity that no one else can fulfill.
from my experiences tutoring, counseling at camps, teaching sunday school, all the way up to being a youth pastor, i am overwhelmed by the beauty God has surrounded us with in the vitality and inspiration of young people. i truly do love them. from teaching a young girl how to read, or helping a boy to pass math class, to explaining to samantha at awana what it means for God to have sent his 'only begotten' Son, I have been greatly blessed by my interactions with these 'little people.'
there aren't many feelings in the world better than having a child, in his or her unbiased, unpolluted, and completely transparent initiative, come to care for me and value my presence in his or her life. a dirty dandelion from a child means more than the priceless garlands of princes. there are no tricky mind games or complicated reactions to interpret with children. if they like me, they'll run to me and give me a hug. if not, they'll run and cry to their mother. their choices are obvious and without facade.
through my encounters with children i have glimpsed two important truths. first, how overjoyed our father must feel when one of his long-lost children comes running back to him with a heart full of love. second, how we are to approach our father: naked and wonder-full as the first day, knowing we have nothing to give him but our transparent adoration, but knowing this is enough.
1 comment:
It's funny because I knew you were watching her and thinking some of those thoughts you just wrote down. I think them too, when I'm around little ones. Our wonder at their innocence and intricacy can never match their wonder at everything. And it's so true that they are free from facade. Whenever I feel a bit lost and lose sight of who I am I look back on pictures of me when I was a kid. It's a quick and gentle reminder and sometimes a glimpse of who it is God wants me to be.
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