Your Children Are More Spiritual Than You Thought...

So it would be ridiculous for me not to write about the latest member of our expanding family. This past Wednesday, our first born daughter gave birth to her first daughter, who, it just so happens, is also our first granddaughter and, wait for it, the first great-granddaughter in our extended family.

Go ahead...Tell me this child will not be spoiled! Waaaay ahead of you friends! This kid has already drilled a deep hole in our hearts that can only be filled with time spent staring at her, talking to her and about her, holding her and dreaming for her, future success in her 2057 presidential campaign.

For now, it seems a bit ridiculous because our beautiful little premie grandbaby isn't doing much. At 3 pounds, 15 once, she has one job. Develop. Breath. Eat. Develop some more. Be super cute. Oh, and poop. Lots of poop. We're told that is a good sign of healthy developing baby. So, there's that.

Question for you: How is it that babies captivate our attention so easily?

Whether we are related to these little creatures or not, we all seem to be taken back and mesmerized by these little bundles of cuteness, whenever and wherever we see them.

Ever wondered why? The answer may be more spiritual than you may have given thought to.

The Bible actually tells us repeatedly that children are a gift from God. The Scriptures even call children a GIFT! Imagine that all parents of toddlers! Still, one of my favorite verses that I've wrestled with as a parent is found in Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him."

Of course, you might ask why I use the word "wrestle" when I consider this verse. Here's the reality of the Baldwin family in our parenting experiences. We have four children who are all adults now and the journey has been long, tough, fun, crazy, emotional, hilarious, frustrating and rewarding, and yes, we consider each one of four children a gift. There is really no other way to summarize a rather turbulent and terrific journey. The struggle was certainly real some days/months/years...but at the end of the day...or maybe a very long week, we genuinely consider each of our kids the greatest gifts we have received in our 29 years together as a family.

So back to my question - How is it that babies captivate our attention so much?

Allow me to quickly answer as I offer some thoughts that come to mind when we describe our brand new granddaughter. Perhaps you can add to what I write below, as these are just five quick thoughts:

1. Children remind us what true innocence looks like, free from guilt and regret.

2. Children are relatively care free, not burdened with every day responsibilities.

3. Children demonstrate what true faith and dependence should look like.

4. Children help us consider legacy, that is, our responsibility to do everything in our power to help this child become the best version of who they were meant to be.

5. Children model unconditional love, unfiltered by preferences, priority or prejudice.

Ultimately, children are a reminder of what a perfect and pure walk with God is supposed to look like. Quite simply, children are a gift from God; a reward from him. The reward is the reminder of what life in God's Kingdom can look like if we fully depend on Him in all things. I believe children give us a picture of who we were made to be when we consider the better and best version God had in mind for us. Call it a Kingdom vision for our lives.

I know, the illustration is limited. Not all family stories are clean and tidy. Not all parents are really awesome. Our world is messed up and the picture is often broken and disappointing and painful. Again, the illustration is limited. Still, how many of us know that children grow up and by the time they are terribly two, the gift seems like it's spoiled and the reward sometimes feels like a penalty with many of us wanting to exchange our little "rewards" at the hospital for another new cleaner and nicer baby model. If that is you (I'm guessing all of us who have been parents more than two years, are raising our hands about now), then there is hope because the same Scriptures give us plenty of other verses that help us find our way back to a home base of grace as we grow and walk through a more nasty and messy world. That's certainly a different blog at some point.

For now, I simply want to encourage you today and give you a small deposit of hope as you continue to lean into spaces where God graces. The next time you see a baby, may it be a reminder of God's grace available to you. He has a dream for you. He wants the very best for you and has made a way for our return to innocence, grace, dependence and unadulterated grace and love. May you reach out to Him today in whatever situation and context within which you may be wrestling. May you begin again as you put your faith and dependence in an all loving and all gracious Jesus, who is THE access point to God's dream for us all..

Now, I'm going to go hang out with my granddaughter. Peace and love to you all. Pastor Paul