09 Nov 6 Things My Toddler is Teaching Me About Approaching Jesus

The other day I watched my daughter petition her Grandmother for “Bubbles.” She calls berries “Bubbles,” but she’s also very into real bubbles so it’s a little confusing to figure out what she actually wants.

As she petitioned for the desire of her sweet little heart, I was struck by the simplicity of her request, the focus with which she delivered it (and pressed in until it was answered), and the quick delight her Grandmother took in obliging her desire.

In Matthew 18, Jesus speaks of the value and spiritual example of little children, saying, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

In Matthew 19, Jesus further affirms that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Before having a child of my own, I used to gloss over these verses, glibly imagining meek-hearted little children peacefully sitting at the feet of Jesus. Now that I have a whirling toddler tornado on my hands, these verses have some context.

Tiny people have much to teach us about how to interact with our Heavenly Father beyond just sitting sweetly at his feet (which is still an important practice). Jesus says we must “change and become” like little children, so here are a few observations about my toddler that are bringing me closer to God.

#1 She Doesn’t Know a Lot

Little kids are hungry to learn. The world is wondrously new and exciting for them. Each challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. I love when my daughter discovers a new object. She explores its contours with her hands, usually giving it a quick nibble to see if it might become a tasty snack. Then she turns, looking at me with a question in her eyes, “What is this mama? What should I do with it? What is it for?” To be clear, she’s 18 months old, so I’m extrapolating a little, but you get the point.

She knows what she doesn’t know. She knows when to ask questions. She’s comfortable not knowing all the answers yet she’s eager to learn.

When we approach God with questions instead of preconceived notions or answers, we come with humility. We recognize his lordship because we’re willing to say that we don’t always understand what he’s doing in our lives or what’s going on in the world at large. This posture of learning is best coupled with a foundation of trust. We come to Jesus not knowing a lot, but with a firm assurance that Jesus holds the answers to our questions.

#2 She’s Willing to Learn

If we stay in the place where we don’t know a lot, our faith stagnates and we don’t progress in intimacy with Jesus. To thrive, relationships need growth. Growth requires maintenance, tender care, and attention.

My daughter is willing to learn. Every day she’s learning words, concepts, and colors. She tries, sometimes a thousand times, to learn how to do new things, struggling over and over again to climb up into Papa’s chair until she has success.

She’s willing to learn and she doesn’t give up until she sees progress.

We should be willing to learn from Jesus. We should pursue him, learning what he says about himself in his Word, and persisting in our pursuit even when life becomes difficult.

It pleases the heart of God when we come to him malleable and teachable. If we arrive brittle and hardened, like a ceramic pot already fired in a kiln, we have missed the process in which he is the potter and we are the clay. If we surrender ourselves, warm and supple, into his loving hands, he can shape us as we learn from him.

#3 She Knows How to Imitate

Ephesians 5:1 says, “ … be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Our relationship with God is as father to child, so it would behoove us to spend some time thinking about our role as children who are instructed to be imitators of God.

For the last few months, the Lord has been kindly convicting me about my language, with James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” It shouldn’t have taken a talking toddler to get me to clean up my act. Nevertheless, I’m trying to mind my mouth. Unfortunately, yesterday didn’t go so well, particularly when I dropped a giant wood cutting board on my toe, but I’m trying.

Our daughter mimics everything we say and do. I spend a lot of time wiping down the counters and the floor. If that girl gets a hold of a napkin, she starts scrubbing her high chair tray. She notices how I spend my time and she imitates me.

Just as our children mimic our behavior, we should strive be imitators of Christ. If we set our gaze on him, contemplating his loveliness, his humility, and his service, then hopefully we become more like him.

#4 She Asks for What She Needs (and She Knows Who to Ask)

Persistent. That’s the word that keeps coming to mind to describe our girl. She doesn’t give up and she lets you know what she needs. If she wants water or a snack, she will hound you mercilessly for “wawa, wawa, wawa,” or “snack, snack, snack,” until she gets what she’s after.

I admire her persistence, although sometimes it drives me a little nuts. Yet she’s not afraid to ask for what she needs. She feels a need and she asks.

She doesn’t wonder, “Hmm, do you think they want to give me water? Do you think they want to hear about my needs? What if this is a stupid need? What if they’re too busy to listen to me?” She doesn’t waste time hemming and hawing about her needs. She takes her needs directly to the people she knows will help her.

What if we started being that direct with God? What if we got comfortable bringing every single need to the foot of the throne, laying it down before our Heavenly Father? He invites us to cast our cares upon him. He longs to meet our needs. His answer might look different than our request, but he is always meeting the needs of his children. “Which of you, when your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” (Matthew 7:9).

#5 She Delights in The Presence of Those She Loves

I have two favorite moments of the day: 1.) when I see my daughter first thing in the morning, and 2.) when my husband comes home from work. I love the sheer delight on her face when she sees me in the morning! Her face widens into an impossibly huge smile, she claps her hands together, and she runs to me, squealing, “Mama! Mama!” It is the best thing ever. Being somebody’s favorite person is totally not a reason to have children, but it is pretty intoxicatingly wonderful.

The same thing happens when Daddy gets home from work. He comes through the door and her whole face lights up. She runs to him, saying, “Dada! Hug! Dada! Hug!” Hug is code for “pick me up now!”

She loves us and she delights in our presence. How often do you truly delight in being with Jesus? How often do you spend time rejoicing in his presence? I know I often come to Jesus with a laundry list of problems, but I’m trying to spend more time delighting in him. He is worthy of our delight and our praise. Moreover, the way that our daughter feels about us is exactly the way Jesus feels when he sees you. He is overjoyed that you want to spend time with him. He’s so excited to give you a hug.

If we can wrap our heads around the fact that Jesus is utterly delighted to spend time with us, I don’t think we will willingly skip time in his presence. Instead, I think we will reorder our days and our thoughts so we get more time with him.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

#6 She Knows How to Rest (and Receive Comfort)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Children play hard and sleep hard (most of the time). Our girl is go, go, go and then she crashes. She knows when it’s time to sleep. Often, she’ll cut my goodnight blessing song with a, “Bye-bye,” dismissing me from her room. She rests when it’s time to rest; she plays when it’s time to play.

When she takes a spill, she runs to us for comfort, letting us wipe her tears and kiss her “owie” (her newest word).

What if we started accepting rest from Jesus? What if we laid down all the things we’re hell-bent on carrying? When I’m stressed and spinning out of control, all I want is to rest and receive comfort. I’m still learning how to do this, but at least part of the process is recognizing that Jesus has rest for my weary soul. My burdens are not too heavy for him. My rest is his priority and his promise.

I hope you have a wonderful week and I would love to hear some of the lessons your children have taught you.