Faith, and HOPE, Like a Child

Jesus said:

 “I tell you the truth, 

unless you change 

and become like little children, 

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  

Matthew 18:3

What do little children have, in terms of faith and HOPE, that we often do not?  I have been learning this lesson lately from our two little ones, and now, I think I see a bit more clearly as to why Jesus loved the faith of little children so much.  

Most of you may remember that earlier this year we lost our little kitten, Hope.  We prayed and we searched and we believed BIG that she would return, but she did not.  Thus, I have accepted the fact that she's not coming home, and have had the joy (and diversion)  of delighting in our new kittens that were born this spring. 

As for our children, however, different story.  Nine months later, they continue to mention Hope in prayer, at the most interesting of times.  Just when I think they may finally be over her (since we now have a total of five kitties to keep them busy), they ask Jesus for Hope.  Although it may sound so faithless of me, it pains me to hear.  I wince at their hope, wanting to protect their hearts from further pain.  

Example:  

A few weekends ago at Kids' Church, 

we learned a lesson to match this verse: 

 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 

“I tell you the truth, 
if anyone says to this mountain, 

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ 

and does not doubt in his heart 

but believes that what he says will happen, 

it will be done for him. 

Therefore I tell you, 

whatever you ask for in prayer, 

believe that you have received it, 

and it will be yours." 

Mark 11: 22-24

Of course at the end, the teenage girl that was teaching the lesson invited each of the children to share a prayer request:

What is it that you would like Jesus to give you?  

Our daughter answered,

"That our kitty Hope would come home."

(Wince)

What struck me is that children truly take Jesus at His Word.  

You're tellin' me to ask for whatever I want? 

Okay.  

Please give me my kitty back.  

Bring her home.

I love it.  Children don't pray common sense prayers. They don't analyze ahead of time, and come to the conclusion that their request, statistically speaking, may be completely outlandish.  They just pray.  For what they want.  The desire of their hearts is easy to pull right up and out, for a prayer request, and they expect to receive what they've asked for.

A lost sign, seeking after Hope, that Lovely helped the children make during her visit in July.  It was nailed to our kitchen wall, and still hangs, in hope that one day she will return.  I call this hope in action, kid-style. 

These are just a few examples of what keeps coming up out of our little ones' hearts, month after month; they are not giving up hope.  After I've buried our kitten Hope in my mind, my children lovingly prod me when I'm least expecting it with prayers of faith.  They have HOPE in the face of the impossible, and don't even bat an eye at their seemingly outrageous requests.  I think we can learn so much from their unfiltered, unmuddied faith.    It's given me fresh courage to pray boldly, and without the common sense this world has to offer.  

Let's become like little children

and hope & pray

 for the impossible in Jesus' Name, 

and then wait expecting to receive only the best

from our Father who delights in giving us good gifts.