RETURN
The #FiveMinuteFriday word for the week is return. My thinking led me to the passage where the disciples of Jesus were arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He told them that unless they changed and became like little children they would never enter that kingdom.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child and had him stand among them.
“Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:1-5 (CSB)
Children are so trusting as they look to their parents to care for them. I believe our trust in Jesus should be like that of a little child. He loved us enough to suffer the agony of death to pay for the sins of the world. Then true to His word He victoriously rose from the grave.
Should we not trust Jesus fully and return to a childlike faith?
I wrote the following poem yesterday while pondering this thought, only editing it slightly today.
Return to a Childlike Faith
Return to a childlike faith
Recover that simple trust
Worry not for the cares of the world
You are safe in your Father’s hands
Trials may come to test you
Don’t let them crush your spirit
Look to your Father who carries you
You’ll be safe in your Father’s hands
Return to a childlike faith
Recover that simple trust
Cast all of your burdens on Jesus
Rest safely in His arms of love
gayl wright
People were bringing infants to him so he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, invited them:
“Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke 18:15-17 (CSB)
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #SundayThoughts, #InspireMeMonday, #TellHisStory #TeaAndWord
Dear Gayl,
This is just so beautiful. I think your poem captures the heart of what Jesus said to us all when He called the children to Himself. He just wants our deepest heart, with that childlike trust. And that photo of your Granddaughter looking down into the center of the blooms: so very precious. Thank you for encouraging me with this tonight. Love and Hugs to you my friend.
Dear Bettie,
Thank you so much! I’m glad you were encouraged tonight. 🙂 Yes, I love that photo, too! Blessings, love and hugs to you! xoxo
Beautiful post, photos and poem, Gayl! <3 xo
Thank you so much, Bette! Blessings to you! xo
Beautiful! All of it!
Thank you so much, Karrilee! Blessings to you! xo
This is so beautiful, Gayl. The photos too. Oh that I would never ever forget this again. That I can come, just as I am. His child.
Thank you, Anna! Yes, if we could only remember all the time to come as a child. Blessings to you! Love and hugs! xoxo
This post comes to me just after I’ve read Paul Miller’s chapter on childlike prayer in The Praying Life. My favorite part was that children play, and we should “play” in our prayer life, remembering that we’re talking to a person. Often we get so frustrated when our mind wanders and we start wool-gathering. Instead, Miller says we should just think those thoughts to God the way children’s conversations go from one topic to another.
Thanks, Gayl, for this refreshing collection of thoughts (and a poem, too!).
I love how God times things. :)Glad this went along with your reading, Michele. Thanks so much for your always encouraging thoughts. Blessings to you! xoxo
Both your photos and your theme are beautiful. Thank you for the reminder to return to a childlike faith.
Thank you so much, Angela! Blessings to you!
Finally made it over to read yours. Resting safely is a beautiful thought.
Thanks for visiting, Calleen. Yes, it is a beautiful thought. We are ultimately safe in Jesus, though we do face trials here. He will always be with us. Blessings to you!
I don’t normally feel attracted to drop in to read posts on the Five Minute Friday word but this one drew me in thanks.
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Sandra! Blessings to you!
Beautiful! I love it – you are safe in your Father’s hands!
Thanks so much, Jerralea! Blessings to you!
This is so beautiful, Gayl! Incredibly blessed by my visit with you today! Thanks so much for sharing! God bless you, sweet friend! 🙂
Tai, thank you so much! I’m glad you stopped by today. Many blessings to you, too, my sweet friend! xo
This is a lovely poem. There’s a lot we can learn from the example of children about how to approach God and trust in him.
Thank you, Lesley! Yes, there is a reason Jesus said to become like a child. Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting.
Perfect choice of verses for this prompt. You truly are a gifted poet. That’s for being here and linking up.
Thank you, Mary, for your encouragement! I’m excited that you are hosting #TellHisStory now. 🙂 Blessings to you! xo
Your poetry captures perfectly returning to God with a childlike faith.
Thank you very much, Debbie! I need to be reminded to come as a child to Him. Blessings to you!
Beautiful, Gayl. Our childlike faith so easily gets jaded along the way. Your gentle reminder is a needed one …
“Hi” from Mary’s launch!
;-}
Thank you so much, Linda! Yes, it’s so easy to lose that childlike faith. We need lots of reminders. Blessings to you!
This is a great reminder! I’m also a neighbor at #porchstories!
Thanks for visiting, Melissa! Blessings to you!
Let the children come to me and do not hinder them for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these–Jesus! 🙂
Amen, Tara! Blessings to you! xo
When y faith is childlike, I am most content.
Oh, yes, Anita, me too! Blessings to you!