By Pastor Natasha Okhuoya

“…whosoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”  [Luke 18:17]

Children can be so joyful additions to our so often serious and stuffy world. They open our eyes to the wonders of creation and ask us simple questions like “Why is the grass green instead of red?”. In my lifetime i have often been touched by their honesty and open expression of emotion. They are not afraid to admit weakness, yet they often defend what they know to be right, regardless of the circumstances or possible results.

In addition to being open about their feelings, children have a very special freedom in their communication with their heavenly father. They are not held back by the barriers that adults have so often built between themselves and the Lord. A mother once met her little boy sitting in the corner of the room saying “A-B-C-D-E-F-G…” to which she asked “what are you doing?”. Well, the little boy said “M

om, you told me to pray but i never knew how to pray in my life so i gave God the whole alphabet and asked Him to make a good prayer of it!”

That boy understood what Paul wrote in Romans 8:26 – The Holy SPirit helps us to pray; we just need to give Him all the pieces of information in whatever state they might be. This story reminds me of my youngest daughter who once in the company of adults speaking in tongues began to shout out “A, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Z” which amused the adults but taught a lesson; God hears beyond sensible words or that He hears even words are insufficient to express our asks.

We can not be too grown in out dealings with God that we miss the lessons that children teach us. They are totally trusting of their parents and know that they are precious to them such that they always feel secure and protected in their presence. We are God’s precious children, His love for us is so great that we can’t even begin to understand it. In the midst of hurrying about and being concerned with the so many details of daily living, we must remember that God’s love can make us conquerors if we receive Him as a child – with an open and trusting heart.