My husband is back in the hospital again. I needed a pick me up so turned to one of my old posts. Sometimes we just need to laugh in spite of our circumstances. God gives us a sense of humor for just that purpose. Some folks might think I should be crying or giving up at this point, but I would much rather look ahead with hope and the promise that God won’t give me more than I can handle. So, laugh with me this morning and say a little prayer for Paul’s return to good health.

The things children say can be the most delightful, embarrassing, fearful, joyous words you will ever experience.  I never did this when my kids were young, but I think it’s a good idea to jot those little tidbits down for future reference.  They may come in handy down the line.  Instead of keeping a journal, I often relied on memory and repeating those clever little thoughts over and over to burn them into my brain.

My own children had some funny things to say during their youth, but the most recent memories come from their children.  Here are a couple of examples:  My teenage grandson, while comparing himself to his older brother – “He’s a complete set of encyclopedias.  I’m just a pocket dictionary, with pages missing.”  My granddaughter wrote this on a Christmas card she created for me a while back, “To my favorite grandma – on my mother’s side.”

Some of my young students have had some funny things to say also.  When I arrived a few minutes late, a child piped up with this comment, “We thought you died and went to heaven.”  Another announced to the class that I had brownchitis. Another precocious young actress took time during rehearsal to let me know that the boy she was playing opposite of, was picking his nose and it was gross.

When kids have something to say, there are usually no boundaries.  They say what they think and you never know what it will be! 

If you’ve ever heard young children singing in church, you will understand their exuberance.  We can learn a lot from them.  Praising God should be joyful.   I think many of us lose some of that excitement as we become comfortable in our faith.  Jesus often referred to little children when talking about their faith and acceptance.  Maybe we can learn some lessons from them at times.

I love how they give new meaning to God’s Word from time to time. Here are some excerpts spoken by children regarding just the subject of Moses:

“His real name was Charlton Heston. He led the Israel lights out of Egypt because of the bad Pharoah. God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians. Some of the plagues were mice, frogs, bugs, lice and no cable. Every day in the desert, God fed the Israel lights some manicotti. He gave them His “Top Ten” commandments. They were things like: don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t dance, don’t smoke, don’t covet your neighbor’s stuff (whatever that means). He also told them to humor their fathers and mothers.”

God often uses examples of the weakest human beings who have been used for the most difficult situations.  In Matthew 21:16 we read Jesus response to his disciples, “”Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?”

Lord, you have given the most precious gift of life to this ailing world.  Little children come to know you through simple faith.  Even though I am old in years, may I continue to come to you in childlike faith and accept the plans you have laid out for me. Amen!