“And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
We could all see it coming. My son-in-law had only seconds before said “Nothing good is going to come from this” as we all watched through the window as seven year old Jude built a ramp out of boards and a card table and then ran to get his bike.
Oh, he had a helmet on but that did nothing to protect the rest of his body as he raced up the makeshift ramp and immediately fell off the side. He hopped up and gave us all a thumbs up but quickly grabbed his left wrist.
His mom and dad immediately checked him out but he reassured them that he was just fine and it only hurt a little. However the next day, the wrist hurt even more and he was unable to move it without a quick intake of breath and a grimace of pain.
I volunteered to take him to the doctor since both parents were working. I was not at all surprised that, after an examination, the doctor wrote an order for an x-ray.
Jude was very concerned about what the outcome might be. “I start flag football on Saturday, Grandma,” he said. I’ve waited all my life (7 years) to play football and if it’s broken, I can’t play!”
I took him by his unhurt hand as we walked into the hospital to the x-ray department. “Jude, God knows that you have waited to play football ‘all your life.’ Maybe it’s just a sprain or it’s jammed. I am going to pray right this minute that it’s not broken.”
He glanced up at me. “You are just NOW praying, Grandma? I’ve been praying since I fell on it yesterday.” Ouch.
When did I forget that I needed to become like a little child before my Father as today’s Key Scripture says? I confess that I worried about his arm. I pictured the worst that could be wrong, like a major fracture and surgery. But I did not pray about it until I heard the fear in my grandson’s voice that his wrist might be broken.
How about you? When faced with a situation that could possibly have a bad outcome, do you do what Jude did and pray immediately? Or do you worry, become anxious and picture the worst BEFORE you pray – like I did?
“Become like little children.” That’s my encouragement for all of us. When something happens, right then is the time to pray. Not as an afterthought. Not if all else fails. Nope. Pray immediately. Our faithful Father hears and He answers.
Jude did not have a break. As we climbed in my car, I turned around to see Jude, hands together and eyes looking upward as he thanked the Lord for His answer.
Lord, please help me to be like this little child Jude.
My Prayer for Today:
Father, I desire to be as a little child and trust you completely with everything in my life. May I always react first with prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Reflection:
What is your immediate response to a tough situation? Panic or prayer?
Application:
Journal situations or problems you have had for the last month and beside each one write your first response: prayer or panic.
If you wrote “panic” beside any of them, determine whether or not that helped resolve the situation. Then decide that your first response from now on will be prayer.
Power Verses:
Matthew 18:3 (NIV) “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
Psalm 107:28 (NIV) “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.”
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
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Nancy Hughes' children's book, There's a Deer in the Forest, is available by clicking on the picture below.
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