The Gift of Being Childlike

Recently I visited a woman battling cancer in the hospital. When I asked her if she wanted to pray, she asked if I could come back at the end of the day because she was too tired and in need of sleep.

While laying with her head on the pillow she softly told me this brief story. With a light heart she expressed that when she is feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, her mind takes her back to her childhood. She envisions her young self running into the arms of her Heavenly Father for comfort and rest. When she falls into the arms of God she asks this question. Do you like chocolate chip cookies? With a smile she completed her thought that she has no idea why that question.

As I ponder her story, she closes her eyes. Her body and mind are in need of rest. While leaving, I sadly tell her that I won’t be able to come back to visit her later due to my personal scheduling, but I do promise to pray for her. She groggily expresses her gratitude.

Her story continues to unfold in my mind.

This morning, the daily readings, all center around the subject of dying. In our faith practice, today is considered All Soul’s Day, a day to remember the loved ones who we are no longer able to spend physical time with.

This question floats in my mind …. When we pass away and move into our eternal destination, could it be possible that we return to that childlike self, running into the arms of our Creator? and is it possible that it will be of interest for us to know this personal question about an entity so large that it’s hard to even imagine him eating a meal?

Does Jesus build that bridge? Afterall, He did enjoy wedding feasts and banquets, bread and wine. And honestly do you know anyone who doesn’t enjoy chocolate chip cookies?

The concept seems very simple. It would align with Jesus’ request for us to be childlike. It also presents a scene that is without pain, without disease, without trauma, a promise for no more suffering is what scripture tells us Heaven will be like. It completely represents relationship, interactive, personal and loving as represented to us by The Trinity.

When we leave this world and encounter someone in heaven, that has gone before us, will we see them as who they were really supposed to be before the pain and regret settled in?

Will the shattered heart of someone experiencing the despair of war,

Will someone who had their innocence stolen due to violence,

Will the wounded orphan who remains in the bondage of abandonment ,

Will the grieving widow or mother whose pain is consuming,

Will the teenager who lacks the will to live,

Will the drug addict who can’t handle their reality and needs to numb their pain,

Will the woman who grieves the baby in the womb who never took a breath,

Will the ones who grieve a person who made a final decision that life is just too hard to live,

Will the ones who had their hearts literally stopped during a heart surgery,

Will all of these hearts be repaired? Will all who suffer return to the time when they did not experience the pain?

Wouldn’t that be amazing? Our God says He can and will do it! He is a God of hope, a God of reparation, of God of Love!

It really is kind of fun to consider.

Recently a 17 year old boy asked a successful knowledgeable middle-aged entrepreneur, what advice he would give to his 17 year old self. The answer was enjoy life as a 17-year-old. To a 17 year old, where is the time for that? Too much pressure, too much time making plans, overwhelming expectations because you are becoming an adult, all overshadow the value of being 17 years old.

Honestly, we look at that in every season of our life. Whenever we look at somebody younger, we say enjoy the times now because they will get harder. Enjoy your single years, enjoy the baby years, enjoy your children living in your home, enjoy your youthful body while you can do the things you like, appreciate your ability to travel.

Are we more appreciative during the place of reflection than we were in the present time? most probably so.

So, I think my takeaway today is enjoy every moment and stay in touch with my younger self, appreciating the memories and recognizing that today will be a memory tomorrow.

The only thing better than witnessing the light in a child’s eye, whether it be that first giggle, a magical Christmas morning, an anticipated trip to Disneyland, or discovering a new skill, like the ability to walk, is to actually, wholeheartedly experience the wonder ourself.

How do we get there? by asking questions, by discovering what sits inside the person we are observing, by being curious, inquisitive, and childlike.

Chocolate chip cookies? or perhaps pumpkin pie?

So ya’all, as a new Oma… I don’t want to just sit on the sidelines and watch, I want to take it even further and participate in the eyes of a child! I’m moving out of the bleachers and entering the playing field. Yes I know my body can no longer run the hurdles, yes the butterfly stroke that used to be my favorite is not so easy these days, that darn rotator cuff, and ok pickleball doesn’t result in sore muscles and ice pack the way tennis does but 20 years from now I may not be able to do any of these things so who cares if I look like a fool (there’s a lie of adulthood anyway)?

Who’s in?

Stay Blessed Ya’all!