I believe that Jesus loved the little children because children are open and naturally look for joy every day. Children are simple in their thinking. They have not been weighed down with the burdens of the world like adults. Children are accepting of others and don’t form judgments.

My husband was reading a book about a professor who taught art at the university. His very young daughter was quite the little artist, always drawing. One day she asked her father what he did in his job. He told her that he taught adults how to draw. Her eyes became as wide as saucers and she was visibly horrified of his answer, to which she replied, “You mean they forget?”

How many childhood pleasures have you forgotten because you’ve have been weighed down in making a living and, perhaps, not making a life? One day rolls into the other without feeling much joy.

We, as Christians have been given the charge to live each day with joy. Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” There are many references in the Bible regarding children. Mark 10:13-16 says, “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

In Matthew 11:25-26 Jesus says, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”

While we must grow up as Paul says in I Corinthians 13:11, “When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” We must not confuse being “childish” with being “child-like”.

To be childish means to be immature or lacking in complexity. To be child-like means to be innocent, trusting, and to show simplicity and candidness. Children seem to seek out joy and live in the present moment.

If you haven’t tapped into your inner child, he or she is waiting to come out and play! Reconnect with simplicity, spontaneity and creativity. After all, we are all God’s children.

I John 3:1: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!”

How long has it been since you picked up a coloring book? They make coloring books for adults. One of my favorites is a book on butterflies. It’s a great way to de-stress, meditate and release the child within you.

You can see my masterpiece on this post, With Age Comes Wisdom…. Well, Not Always. You’ll learn the wisdom I learned from my granddaughter too.

If you aren’t feeling joy, perhaps you don’t believe in how much you are loved by God. Your view of God or God’s view of you is out of focus. This eBook and audio book addresses that called Bringing God’s View Into Focus to Live Life with Joy and Flow. Download it now while it is still free.