Sometimes I Act Like A Child
Our text for today is Matthew 18:3
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Of course this text doesn’t mean we should throw a fit when we don’t get our way, or run to mommy when we have a tummy ache. Jesus is really talking about things like having a good heart and learning to forgive and trust.
I read a story that reminded me of this verse.
One little four-year-old boy loved his dog, but sometimes unwittingly tormented him. He didn’t mean to, but he loved to hug his dog. Usually the dog would put up with the hugging, but when the dog had enough, he would turn around and nip at the little boy to make him let go.
One day, the dad walked up to his son while he had the dog in a big hug. As the dad got closer he could see that the little boy had his eyes closed and was praying, “Dear God, please don’t let him bite me.”
As the dad walked by his son, he told him, “God would be more apt to answer your prayer, if you would let go of the dog.”
Unfortunately, we are like that little boy too often. We do things that we know we ought not to do and then pray that God will shield us from the consequences of our behavior.
We pray for a happy marriage and then neglect one another. We pray for a closer walk with God but do not read His Word. We pray for peace in our lives, and drive in aggressive, rude ways or snip at people.
Each of us could make our own custom list. We should examine the things we pray for and then decide what we can do to help make the prayers come true.
Keep on praying, but do your part too.
Lonnie Davis