Revealed to Infants

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” Jesus said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” Luke 10:17-24

My youngest, when she was not quite three, watching her older sisters roller skate, wanted to join in. She told me that God had taught her to roller skate in heaven. She repeated this claim over and over, until we relented and found a small, used pair that would fit her. She strapped them on and began to "skate" around the house, joyfully crashing into furniture. Even when she fell, she would tell me that she had forgotten some of the lessons God taught her. I truly believe that children are often the best theologians, and we adults struggle to understand God's love while they do completely.

Gracious Creator, you placed us each here

touched by your grace and your love

to radiate your spirit of kindness and joy

to a world that is full of hazards and demons.

You put love in our hearts from first breath

you gave us the eyes to see your beauty

we get too busy to behold your creation

yet within each is the power of a small child.

Let us be childlike is our joy and wonder

help us to embrace each new day with hope

let us know we have all we need for now

and may we bless this world with your love. Amen.