Well, it’s another Sunday morning. “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.” Matthew 19:13-15 (ESV)
I have thought a lot about when I was a little boy growing up in southern Illinois these past couple weeks. We lived in a small community close to New Columbia, Illinois, named Samoth. Mom and dad scrimped and saved and bought “the big house” in that little community. It was called the big house by everyone around there because, at the time it was the biggest house in the area. It needed updated and some repair, mom and dad took on that task and made a wonderful home for us.
Since those days others have built around it and it no longer is the big house in the area. It has been a very long time since we lived there, but the old house is still standing and still looks as good as it did then. The vacant lot across the street where we all played still remains vacant to this day, almost like a place of honor to all the kids that graced that wondrous lawn. I remember how we would all meet on that lot and we would play our childhood games. I still remember those games like it was just yesterday. If I think hard enough I can still feel the summer breeze blowing across that lot and how the cool green grass felt on my bare feet as we waited in the shade of the big trees for everyone to get there. We would all come hurrying there after eating our breakfast or lunch.
We played red rover red rover, tag, hid and seek, or ball. On occasion we would simply lay in that wonderful thick green grass and watch the clouds. We would see every wonderful shape imaginable in those billowy clouds through the eyes of children.
I woke up this morning thinking about these games and how care free life really was back then. I mean there was a lot going on in the world, after all it was the early 60’s, but in our little piece of the world it was quiet and serene. We were happy and care free. The very worst thing that could have happened was a disagreement on whether or not you got all the way through in the game of red rover. As always, in just a few minutes the disagreement was forgotten and we were playing again. Life was much simpler then. We can learn a lot from the memories of those days as children. In Matthew 18:4 (ESV) we read this about our kingdom to come, Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see that care free life style again? Wouldn’t it be nice for our children and grandchildren to be free to run and play like that again? Here is the truth, in our Fathers house it will be that way. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV) tells us this about what is to come, “But, as it is written,’What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.'” See, God is offering each one of us that cool green grass and that shade of those big trees. He wants us care free like children. He is making these offers to us and to receive them He asks very little in return. Romans 10:9-13 (ESV) tells us what it will take to enter the kingdom, ‘Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”’
I remember setting on the concrete steps that was left there on that lot from the old grist mill entrance. The building that had once stood there was now long gone, way before I ever walked that ground. I remember soaking up the warmth of the sun and day dreaming of wonderful child like things. It felt so good to me, God was truly blessing me and I didn’t even realize it at the time. Are you so busy that you’re missed God’s blessings that He placed in your path? If you know you are or even think that, slow down, smell the flowers, enjoy the cool green grass, sit under that big old shade tree, sit and feel God’s warmth. I have said it before and I will continue to say this, we are on this rock only for a blink of an eye, enjoy what God has placed here for you. Our time in our Father’s house will be unmeasurable, it will be glorious, but until then enjoy this time, love one another. Love everyone, every man woman and child, all races, religions, faiths, sexual orientations, love every living thing. Throughout this week always keep this in mind, God truly loves each and every one of you and so do I.
