The big sensation on the web today is the “laughing baby.” The baby’s laughter is stemmed by watching her father tare up employment rejection letters. This morning, as I listened to KLOVE, I couldn’t help but laugh along as they replayed the audio. Pretty soon my five year old son was laughing right along with me. The laughter seeped into my very soul and I felt light.
I began to think what our lives might be like if we could learn how to find humor in the small things. What if we could laugh it off when God closes a door? Instead, so many times, we become stressed. We throw temper tantrums and curse God. I wonder what would happen if we praised God everytime we were let down, didnt get the house or job we wanted… What would our world be like?
Last week, while in New Mexico, a very dear friend of mine expressed disappointment over employment issues. I look at this friend and see someone amazing, and I know that God is actively working in his life. I told my friend to praise God. Thank the Lord that those doors were closed and that, through his faithfulness, God would honor him. His path was being laid out and the journey was merely beginning.
“Why are you so downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5
I am all too familiar with disappointment, throwing temper tantrums and trying to force what I want to happen… Then when it doesnt turn out the way I planned – well, I cry out to God. I ask him why He isn’t helping me. I weep and make a big scene; never once taking responsibility and admitting that maybe it was I that made the mistake.
I want to be childlike in my spirit. One of the things I love about spending time with my friends in NM is that we laugh… we laugh so hard and so much. It takes me back to when I had little worry. It takes me back to when I allowed my Father to guide me – rather than trying to make it all happen myself. I want to be childlike again!
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him”. Matthew 11:25-27
I want to be unassuming, trusting, innocent, and faithful. I want to see all that is good in people and this world. I want to have the scars of my past healed and the pain of disappointment gone. I want to learn to throw my hands up and giggle like a little child again.
According to Dr. Richard J. Krejcir, “Childlike Faith is the wonder and awe at what Christ did for us. It is a synergy of trust, hope, and unpretentiousness that knows the Lord loves us and will lead us. Because of our trust in the Lord, we are more able to take comfort in Him. Childlike faith sees the world as exciting and adventurous, and worth pursuing with our faith so opportunities to please God override our complacency and the attitude of “been there, done that,” even though we may have. It is a part of us that we should never lose. It enables us to maintain our humbleness and enthusiasm and not become just a subculture or routine! We are not to act like children towards others, but our faith and example must be authentic (Psalm 23; 131; Matt. 18:2-4; 34; John 10:1-18; 1 Cor. 1:22-30; James 2:14-19; Heb. 11:1).”
“Childlike faith encourages humility and helps us realize who we are in Christ. Without humility, we cannot come to the Lord, because we will never admit our need, surrender our will, or be able to grow in faith. We will not be able to serve others because we will think they are unworthy, just as the people did toward that soldier’s servant in Matthew 8:5-13. ” Dr. Richard J. Krejcir
Love to all – Jen
Manna and Coffee 