Last week we went to our youngest grandson’s first birthday. The party was held at a park and the kids loved that. There was shade and the weather was perfect. The kids could run and play and they had a great time with new friends.

Our grandson isn’t walking yet, but he enjoyed being set down on the ground. He ran his hands over the blades of grass feeling them tickle his palms. He picked up dirt and sifted it through his fingers. And he loved the inflatable balls his mom had for the kids to play with. His excitement over his gifts made me smile the whole time, especially when he loved his new dinosaur.

Seeing the world through a child’s eyes is fascinating. They are captivated by the simplest of things. Everything in their small world is something new to explore and marvel at. 

In Matthew 18:3,4, Jesus tells his disciples, “…Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

I wonder if Jesus admonishment is partly because as adults we’ve lost that sense of wonder in our surroundings or in the small gifts God gives us. We may notice a spectacular sunset, but do we notice the sky when it isn’t unusually pretty? Do we marvel at a line of ants and the way they work in tandem? Do we see everything around in light of being new and something created by God?

Maybe we need to ask God to open our eyes and show us everything anew and then take the time to ponder and glory in His creation. Even just for a few minutes each day can change our attitude and outlook on life.

What about learning as a child? Do we get so focused on life and job and family that we forget to be aware of what God is trying to teach us? 

Deuteronomy 6:6,7 says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

I wonder if God instructed the Israelites to teach their young children like this because a child’s mind is so open to learning. They are eager for new concepts and able to retain much more than someone who is older. (Such as this great-grandmother. 🙂 )

It would be beneficial for us, as adults, to set aside some of the responsibilities of life and take time each day to look at what God has done for us. At what He’s given us. 

We need to open our hearts to joy and bask in Him. We should be excited every day to see what God is bringing to us even if it’s something as small as a blade of grass or a handful of dirt. Be joyful in the discovery of every day.