“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” Mathew 18:3.
This verse simply states one of the primary requirements to enter heaven. Yet for adults to achieve this is not simple. The attributes of a child that this verse is referring to go against every part of self.
There are many qualities about a child that we can learn from, but I’m particularly impressed with their unmatched ability to forgive. This impresses me each time I fail one of them.
One time in particular, I recall being extremely frustrated with my 2 year old son. He was being extra unreasonable. On the other hand, I was being extra impatient. I don’t recall the specifics of the issue, I only recall that there was a serious clash between us, and also that I failed miserably. I portrayed my frustration in ways that make me hang my head in shame to think about. I don’t recall exactly how it ended either, but I do remember tucking him in that night, and weeping at the thought that in the morning, I would be fully forgiven and he wouldn’t even remember our disagreement. I knew he would wake up and have only love and admiration for me. He would come find me, and fall into my arms, and I’d somehow be his best friend and hero again. I would deserve none of this, but his forgiveness would be so complete, so final, that my infractions would have no effect on the relationship between us.
These same infractions, focused at any adult, would cause offense so great that years could be spent mending what had been dismantled by my actions. Yet, somehow, these children have perfected the ability to forgive. Their little hearts radiate love and forgiveness to all. They are often the ones that take on the enormous task of mending a relationship. They are the ones that find the courage to build, when those around them are too coward and proud.
I like to imagine that somewhere within each of us remains this same ability. We all had it once, and as we grew up, it got buried under many other things. Is it possible to find this again? Can we become as little children and forgive based on unconditional love, and not based on the magnitude of which we’ve been wronged? I trust we can if we can observe the lives of these little ones around us. Let us be like them. Nowhere on earth will we find a better pattern of Jesus himself.
– Carson J Toews (28) – 2 children
