NACR Daily Meditation for Sunday, Jul 4, 2004

4 Jul 2004 07:00:01 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Sunday, Jul 4, 2004

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He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I
tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself
like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18:2-4

Children are naturally curious about life. They look at everything, hear
everything, want to know about everything. They are ready for growth and
responsive to life. But, childhood dies for many people because of neglect,
abuse and losses experienced during early vulnerable years. The eagerness
and engagement are poisoned. The responsiveness to life yields to fear and
shame.

It is possible, however, to reclaim a lost childhood. It is possible
to change in ways that allow us to experience the wonder, the awe, the engagement
in life that God intended for us in childhood.

God invites us to experience this kind of change. God invites us to
become like little children. Children are humble - they have a straightforward
honesty about their feelings and needs. This humility makes childlike awe
and engagement in life possible. It is a vulnerable, humble thing to be
a child. Children get tired and need naps. Children need other people.
Children have more questions than answers. 

Jesus invites us to change and become like little children. It is an
invitation to true humility which leads to spontaneity, curiosity and engagement
in life.

Lord, I want to reclaim
the wonder and delight of childhood.
I want to be eager to learn again.
I want to be ready to love and be loved again.
Give me, Lord, the security and safety I need
to be vulnerable and humble.
Help me to be ready for surprises.
Amen

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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