Back in the 1950's and '60's, Art Linkletter hosted a television program named, "House Party". On the show, he sometimes had a segment called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things". He asked children random questions and hilarious answers were always the result. The same is true today. Ask a child a question and you never know what you're going to hear in response.
Over the years, my own children have said some pretty funny things...too many to mention. A friend of mine told me a story about her now grown children that I just have never forgotten. Her kids were riding in the car with their grandmother -- her mother-in-law. She started questioning them about traffic lights. She asked, "What does the red light mean?" Both kids answered, "Stop." She continued the pop quiz with, "What does the green light mean?". They answered, "Go!". The quiz continued with "And what does the yellow light mean?" And they both answered, "Go real, real fast!". That story still makes me smile -- especially when I accelerate through a yellow light!
Now our grands are even funnier than our children were. Now why is that? I guess because you want your kids to do and say all the right things -- like when they repeat mini-me phrases. Hilarious to others...not so funny sometimes when your own embarrassing words and attitudes come out of your little offspring! Am I right?!
Our son was driving in his truck with his youngest in tow. The radio was playing and through the speaker came an ugly word that shouldn't have been said over the air waves. Our granddaughter said, "He just said a bad word, huh Dad?" Our son answered, "Yes he did." She sat there in quiet thought for a few minutes and then said, "Well at least he didn't say, 'S**t'!" I don't know if he laughed at the moment or not but when our son called me with the story...he was laughing hysterically! How could you not laugh!!
Kids are something aren't they? They're so innocent, trusting, inquisitive and among so many other things, they're forgiving! I've seen children be so mean to one another one minute and playing together happily the next. Children have no power, no standing in the community and are completely dependent on their parents for food, shelter and nurturing. And guess what...we are called to be as children to enter the kingdom of heaven!
The disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?". Jesus motioned for a little child to come near and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."
Later after He had traveled from Galilee to the region of Judea, people were bringing their children for Jesus to pray for them. I guess in an effort to protect the Lord, his disciples tried to shoo the children away. Jesus rebuked them saying again that "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these".
The good news is this...the pressure is off. We don't have to be anyone special in this world to pass to the next. All the Lord expects is for us to follow and love Him...to conduct ourselves as HIS children...innocent, loving and forgiving...leading others into HIS eternal light. Now doesn't heaven sound even more awesome?! I can just imagine the laughter now!
Love till next time,
Lanna
For your consideration: Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:34-37; Luke 9:46-48; Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17. I John 1:5:7.
