“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.’” Matthew 18:1-4 (NKJV).
“How can I be a little child? Most times you tell me to grow up and act my age.”
“Timmy, when I say grow up, I’m saying don’t be childish. Big difference in childlike and childish.”
“Childish like when I got mad with Sam yesterday? Stomped in, slammed the door and caused the windows to rattle?”
“Childish like when I got mad with Sam yesterday? Stomped in, slammed the door and caused the windows to rattle?”
Grandfather chuckled. “Usually when you don’t get your way.” 
“Timmy, remember when the Hill's adopted their little son? Mrs. Hill had never seen him. She was scared—“
“Timmy, remember when the Hill's adopted their little son? Mrs. Hill had never seen him. She was scared—“
“Why?”
“How if he didn’t like her? What if he wouldn’t come to her?
“She said she knew he belonged to her when he stretched his little arms, clinging to her as if he'd finally come home. Said she’d never forget how those little arms slide around her neck.”
“He loves his mom and dad.”
“You’re right. Why?”
“I guess he trusts them. He knows they love him.”
“That’s what the Lord Jesus offers us. He never forces us to come. He waits for us to lift our arms to Him. He picks us up and hugs us tight. We’re secure in His love. Once we realize how much He loves us, we trust Him.”
Timmy tilted his head. “It’s hard to trust Him when I’ve never seen him.” He paused, his face brightening.
“He loves his mom and dad.”
“You’re right. Why?”
“I guess he trusts them. He knows they love him.”
“That’s what the Lord Jesus offers us. He never forces us to come. He waits for us to lift our arms to Him. He picks us up and hugs us tight. We’re secure in His love. Once we realize how much He loves us, we trust Him.”
Timmy tilted his head. “It’s hard to trust Him when I’ve never seen him.” He paused, his face brightening.
“Oh, like when the Hill’s got their son? He’d never seen her but he loved her?”
“Exactly. She asked nothing of him. Just loved and nurtured him.”
“Exactly. She asked nothing of him. Just loved and nurtured him.”
“So the Lord Jesus loves me like that?”
“He does.”
Timmy blinked. “Grandfather. That’s the most awesome thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Awesome, indeed.” He wrapped his grandson in his arms.
Kingdom Thinking. I’m grateful the Lord Jesus gives pictures of His great love. I was terrified our son wouldn’t love me. But at the airport, seeing me for the first time, he stretched out his arms, came to me. Now when troubles come, I choose to remember the Lord loves me the same way. He promises never to forsake me and love me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Won’t you trust Him?
Kingdom Thinking. I’m grateful the Lord Jesus gives pictures of His great love. I was terrified our son wouldn’t love me. But at the airport, seeing me for the first time, he stretched out his arms, came to me. Now when troubles come, I choose to remember the Lord loves me the same way. He promises never to forsake me and love me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Won’t you trust Him?
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