Approaching God as a Child

What does it mean to have a child-like faith?  This is something that has been weighing heavily on my heart recently.  As I strive to teach the Faith to my children and help them experience our Father's love each day, I see how they approach God.  They approach him without question, full of love and a desire to do His will.  Though signs of our inherent sinfulness start to kick in around 1 year of age, children are still an ideal example for adults to emulate when it comes to our faith.  They are quick to forgive and forget, they love unconditionally, they accept whatever we teach them without question and they accept the Father's love wholeheartedly.  I would argue that the only exception for us as adults is that we should question things we are taught if they are coming from an unreliable or questionable source.  This is one thing I love so much about the Catholic Church.  We have an entire Catechism at our fingertips that has many of the answers to our questions.  If it cannot be found there, the Magesterium (clergy) are another unified source of information.  This consistency in the Church provides great comfort for me and allows Catholics to be unified in our beliefs.

But what does Jesus say about the children?

"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.  The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:13-14.

Jesus loved the children, especially at a time when society did not view women and children equal to a man. When observing children, it is clear what Jesus is saying.  Children approach Jesus without reserve.  They openly worship and adore Him.  My youngest (18 months) does that in his screams of "Jesus" during the quietest moments of mass! They are not afraid to speak of Him to others.  They are not afraid to ask for forgiveness and when forgiveness is given, they quickly forget their wrongdoings and start fresh.   So how can you emulate a child's approach to God? 

This is one of my favorite passages from St. Frances de Sales; the book is titled Set your Heart Free.  It is especially meaningful to me because I can understand the analogy of a child holding onto his/her parents hand.  This is so real to me right now as I am constantly holding my childrens' hands.  Just as I hold my child's hand, so does God hold tightly to each of us.  Do we let go or do we cling tightly to His hand?  Take some time to read it and contemplate on it.  Are you holding tightly to your Father's hand and not collecting too many earthly goods?  Is what you are doing pleasing to God?  Do you put your total trust in God and be satisfied with what He gives you?  How can you approach your Father as a child?

If you hope to succeed

in whatever you do,

place your trust totally in God's providence.

Cooperate with him,

then rest secure 

that whatever happens,

will be best for you.

Think of a little child

walking with her father.

One hand clings tightly to his,

but with the other

she gathers fruit from trees along the way.

Imitate the child.

With one hand go ahead and gather

what you need of the world's good things,

but with the other 

hold on to your heavenly Father,

checking regularly

whether or not,

he approves of what you are doing with your life.

Above all, 

beware of letting go of your Father

to free up both your hands

to gather more of the world's goods.

You will find

that by yourself

you will stumble and fall.

And when your gathering does not require

all your attention,

turn your mind to God as often as you can.

Like a sailor returning to port,

look to the sky

and not just to the waves that carry you.