We are such children

Learning to put on shoes
can teach other life lessons also.

Yesterday, I was watching a 2yr old for an hour while his mother got some work done. He was a delightful chunk of a little boy but when our time was up and he knew "mama" could be his again, he just couldn't contain himself. He wanted and needed attention so desperately while we talked for a little while. As his frustration ramped up, when we were not 100% attentive, he resorted to fussing, biting and pulling hair.

His mother and I tried to wrap things up recognizing it might be time for a nap. We had been discussing a very dysfunctional situation and so we sat down and prayed together about it. Meanwhile, the little boy decided that it was time to put on his little tennis shoes with the Velcro fasteners. So he proceeded to try various wrong ways happily but at the point where he couldn't make it work he'd look up and start to fuss but refused help and pushed away all attempts. He wanted to put the shoe on backwards because it had some sporting balls on it that he wanted to admire while putting it on... but being backwards obviously didn't work and showing him the right way or trying to do it for him only increased his frustration. As you can probably guess this cycle ended in screaming and tears.

I couldn't help but smile.

We are so like that with God! We want a good end result but we want to get to it our way. Pushing away every attempt other people or God makes to assist us, we want it this one specific way no matter how much it will not work that way. God is forced to let us figure this out and when we do finally realize that it won't work... we scream and cry to him wondering why this is happening to us and why all our work is fruitless and messed up.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Luke 18:17 NKJV)

I take comfort in this because I know that kids are messy, they make mistakes, they love unabashedly, and come in humility to the only one who can make it all better. That's where I want to be... and that's why I smile at a screaming child because I see them like God must see me. Tears streaming down my face, one shoe on and the other tossed across the room while I aim my face up at him and melt into my feelings knowing he can take it and make it right. It's so true, we are such children.