The Heart of a Child

An amazing friend once told me that their wish for me was that I would develop the heart of a child. What does that mean? What does a child’s heart look like? It looks like a heart full of dreams, trust, and forgiveness.

Have you ever said no to a child, only to have them respond with, “You’re not my friend anymore.” Or, “I don’t love you anymore.” Or even, “I hate you.” And an hour later, that same child is curled up in your lap, resting in the arms of the one who said, “No, that’s not what’s best for you.”

That’s how most of us were as children. Our hearts had not been hurt yet, our feelings and our egos maybe, but we didn’t yet let the words and actions of others get all the way to our hearts. We were quick to forgive, quick to trust, and quick to obey.

As we got older, we started building walls that would affect how we trusted others. We started holding onto the past and stopped forgiving so quickly. We began to think that we know what’s best for us and we stopped obeying our authorities.

Children don’t fully understand the concept of time. All they know is “right now.” As adults, we can’t forget the past. We can’t throw certain memories out of our minds. But we can make a choice to not bring up past hurts. When they do come back up, we can choose to respond with forgiveness and grace.

I’m not going to say it’s easy to not worry about the future. But we must have a child-like trust in our Heavenly Father. He’s the one who planned everything out before we were even born. He loves us more than we can ever know or imagine. He has our best interest at heart. We read in Scripture, “Consider how we, being evil, give good gifts to our children. How much more will the Heavenly Father give to those who trust in Him?”

Children are appreciative for the gifts we give. I have seen such excitement over the smallest, most meaningless things, stickers, candy, paper airplanes. Things that have no eternal value. Where is our excitement for the gifts of God?

I remember one Christmas when April opened what was, to her, the greatest gift in the world, her very first curling iron. She squealed with delight, as tears, real tears of joy, rolled down her face. We will never let her forget the excitement she had over that gift. We joke, saying it was what started her passion for hair and caused her to go to beauty school years later.

When was the last time you had that kind of response to a gift from God? Do we even recognize God’s gifts anymore? Did you wake up this morning? Did you have clothes to wear and food to eat? Do you have loved ones to hug and talk to? Start thanking God for those things, the simple, everyday gifts. You will be amazed at the difference it will make in your heart.

Children dream big dreams. They want a big life. They want to make a difference. They want to be superheroes, princesses, and astronauts. Somewhere along the road to adulthood, we laid those dreams aside. We didn’t trade them for more attainable but equally big dreams. We traded them for doubt, insecurity, and disbelief that we could ever be satisfied and have the life we dreamed of. God wants to renew those child-like hopes and dreams.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to get bit by a spider and then save the world. It does mean I can trust God to use me and change a life through me. It’s never by our own power or ability that we can do anything, but by the power and strength of God.

Those are only a few of my thoughts on the heart of a child. I pray that God will continue to show me areas where I need to surrender to Him, trust Him more, return to Him fully.

I AM by Jill Phillips

Oh gently lay your head
Upon my chest
And I will comfort you like a Mother while you rest.
The tide can change so fast
But I will stay
The same through Past, the same in Future,
Same Today.

Oh weary, tired and worn
Let out your sighs
And drop that heavy load you hold
Cuz mine is light.
I know you through and through
There’s no need to hide.
I want to show you love that is deep and high and wide.

For I am constant.
I am near.
I am peace that shatters all your fears.
I am holy.
I am wise.
I’m the only One, who knows your heart’s desires.

Oh gently lay your head upon My chest
And I will comfort you like a Mother
While you rest.