Faith Like a Child

I am so thankful for Anna. Her innocence and excitement makes me smile. It is so refreshing and humbling at the same time.

On Friday we were reading a story in school about a missionary Lady in China who had all of her money stolen. She didn't have any food left and now she didn't have any money to buy anything. Anna was pretty concerned about what would happen, so we read on (she doesn't like cliffhangers any more than I do! :) ). The missionary got down on her knees before the Lord and asked Him to provide (not because she was starving but because she wanted her housekeeper to see the Lord's power). Within 10 minutes she had 4 different people show up at her door. One brought bread, another eggs, on brought fruit, and lastly someone brought coffee. The story went on to tell how God provided all the money that this lady needed for a conference they were having (and He provided it the very day she needed it).

Anna took all of this in, her eyes lit up and she had a huge smile on her face when the story was finished. She was totally blown away by how God had provided for every one of the Missionary's needs. I then told her about a time when I was in collage and someone had stolen my money ($500 to be exact). I didn't know what I was going to do. But, amazingly God provided. As I thought about it I realized that I have SOOOO many stores like this that I can share with my children. There was the time I went on a mission trip to PNG for the summer. I knew that when I returned I would not have the money to pay for my next semester in school. I wasn't able to work and save money because I had spent my break in another country. I had no idea how it was going to work out but I trusted the Lord that He knew. As it turned out I had raised so much support that there was enough left over to pay for my entire semester back at NTBI. WOW! That just blows my mind. Again just another example of God's faithfulness.

Anyway, Anna listened to all of this with great interest. The wheels in her head must have been turning! :) Much later that day the kids and I met a friend at McDonald's for a play date/mom coffee time. The kids played in the tunnels and my friend and I visited over coffee. Suddenly Anna comes running over to me,
"Mom, I have to tell you something. You know how we talked today about God answering prayers? Well, I prayed right now that I wouldn't get shocked going down the slide. Guess what? I didn't get shocked!!!"

She was so excited. I have always explained to her that God isn't like a magic Genie, just because you pray it doesn't mean that God will answer the way you want. I reminded her of this, but also added, "isn't it cool that God did do that for you?" (Sounds funny but she hates getting shocked.) She could barely contain her joy, she couldn't wait to tell dad when we got home.

Maybe this all seems like a silly example but I was humbled by the experience. To see her joy, her excitement, her thankfulness, her simple faith...

And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:2-4

Jesus spoke of having faith like a child. Our conversion is characterized by this kind of faith, "Like the Beatitudes, it pictures faith as the simple, helpless, trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Like children they have no achievements and no accomplishments to offer or commend themselves with."(John MAcarthur) The christian life requires that same faith. Complete trust in our Father. Simply taking His hand and believing His Word as truth. Believing that He is faithful because His Word says He is, and He has always proven Himself to be.

I am so thankful for my precious daughter. Her simple faith has humbled me and spoken to my heart.

Father, help me not to forget and not to be so "grown up" that I make things complicated.

I long to be like a child again...