Lessons from a Grandchild
We don’t live in the same town as our children and their families and I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I would like so it is very special whenever we get to spend time together.
During one recent visit God used my grandson to cut through the years and layers of pretense in my life and straight to my heart.
Before they “learn any better”, children have a wonderfully trusting and honest approach to life and to other people.
My youngest grandson will be three this year and he doesn’t seem to care that his grandpa’s hair on top is thinning and his belly pokes out or that he doesn’t drive the newest model car in fact, he is excited to go with me in it even if only to town on an errand.
My worn, common clothes don’t seem to bother him in the least and I’m absolutely certain that the surprise treats that he finds in the big pockets of my old overcoat when I show up would not be any more special if they came out of a brand new $600 leather dress coat.
When he sees me, he sees grandpa.
My worth to him has nothing to do with the clothes I wear, the car I drive, or the social status I may or may not have aspired to.
He is a child and has not learned to do that to people yet.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Mathew 18:1-4
What God taught me that day was a lesson in judgment of others.
Yes, we are to rightly judge another’s action according to God’s Word, rather it is right or wrong (Matthew 7:1-5) but the worth of that person to God (and to a little child) has to do with relationship, not their resources or social standing.
May God grant to each one of us who call Him Lord, that same child like faith and love.
