Cousins Came to Celebrate!

The doors to our church opened Sunday morning to welcome six beautiful children.  Six cousins -- five girls and one boy.  Ranging in age from about 3-11 years.

Dressed in their finest.  Excited, engaging, exuberant!

The cousins came to celebrate the christening and baptism of their brand new cousin, a baby boy.

Attribution

They took seats on the front row, not wanting to miss a thing.

As I watched them, I became fascinated by their well behaved demeanor.  Their excitement was on the surface, but well contained.

Following the christening and baptism and the children's sermon, they returned to their front row seats.  They had received activity packets -- our effort to help parents keep busy children busy.

The two older girls immediately became leaders and helped the younger ones to the floor in front of their seats. 

Each one became a beehive of activity engaged in creating something wonderful on this highly important family day.

What I observed reminded me of the Scripture found in Matthew 18:3 (NIV):

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change
and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

I saw before me young children unaffected by others around them, by their surroundings, by each other.  They were simply being themselves.  

Why is it that I, as an adult, cannot assume that same mantle?  Why do I worry about what I'm wearing?  Who will see me?  What they will think?  Why do I really walk in the door of my home church?

I go there because I believe in the One God, Father of my Savior, Jesus Christ -- I go to worship, to praise and to offer thanksgiving.  I need not wear an exterior to please man or to exalt my own feelings.  I must come as I am, as a child.  That is the me that the One Above really wants -- the me that I am.

* * *

Lifting my hands to give Him thanks for so much this week:

486.  The joys of childhood.
487.  New babies in God's Kingdom.
488.  Restful time at home.
489.  Insights into my writing from an encouraging blogger's post.
490.  My friends who have supported me virtually and real time.
491.  Healing for our friend who recently underwent colon cancer surgery.
492.  Joy of preparing meals for a church family.
493.  Experiencing the love of young families in our church.
492.  Lives given in service for our country and freedoms.
493.  Active military personnel in Afghanistan and other posts in our world.
494.  Freedom to worship.
495.  Freedom to share here my faith and beliefs with other believers.

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at