Divine structure of a child

“People were bringing even infants to Him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18: 15-17 (NRSVUE)

How fortunate it is that I occasionally get to do some “fun” things as a retired pastor, including teaching Bible stories to over 100 preschool children ages 16 months to early 5 years old at the Emmanuel Learning Academy in Noblesville. Learn more about the academy at emmanuelumc.org/who-we-are.

I wasn’t sure this was my true “calling” initially. After all, it takes wisdom to reshape a 20-minute “adult” sermon that I was accustomed to into a very brief four-minute Bible lesson; just long enough to keep the “littles” attention, but impactful enough that they learn something – anything about God. Well …

Kids love visuals! You can hear a pin drop when the “Saddleback Kids” video begins to play. They’re colorful. They’re brief. They’re fun. And the kids suck it all in. All of them, including the teachers. I confess, me, too.

So, not to compete against an animated kids’ video, but at least to personally interact with them, my four-minute lesson sometimes includes wearing the color of the week.

The kids don’t care if I wear a bright red chasuble when it’s not Pentecost. They just know that “red” is the color of the week – and they did at least repeat the word “chasuble.” Since it was red and gold, the class accepted it as a coat of many colors from the lesson of the day about Joseph’s coat in Genesis 37.

These youngsters also take turns reciting Bible verses with guidance from the Preschool Director, Annette Brown, and the teachers, then jump, sing, and exercise for several minutes before the Bible lesson even begins. I love to watch the joy on their faces. They are just genuinely happy and so willing to learn!

Then, ready for a rest break (and catching a pretend bubble to pop in their mouths), they sit quietly (for the most part) while they learn, listen, and pray together.

My heart fills with peace as they fold their tiny hands.

After the lesson, many kids “line up” for the restrooms prior to returning to their classrooms (very important!). I love to blow them kisses in the air as I exit the area, always saying “I love you” and saying, “Thank you” (also very important for kiddos).

But God, in his infinite grace, shared with me the innate divinity of children.

One small boy broke the restroom line, ran to me yelling, “I love you, too,” and hugged tightly around my legs. Then another. And another. And more, until they all came, boys and girls, all saying, “I love you” and “thank you” while blowing kisses as they returned to the restroom line formation.

I … I … I was dumb founded. This old widow was totally taken off guard.

I remember thinking, “Wow … what just happened?” as I blew one last kiss to the group.

God has structured all our children just so, each with the willingness to share their God-given gifts of joy, fun, and laughter. Believing in something called “love,” a concept that even adults have a difficult time to explain.

When and where do adults lose that divine structure of a child? The one so willing to learn, and accept, and to love happily, without judgement or fear or shame?

We want so much to belong and to be loved, even as adults. This divine love was the reason for God sending Jesus to earth to begin with. The kids read the verse in preschool today, from 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.” How appropriately significant.

But they didn’t have to learn it. They were born with it, joyfully sharing their gifts with their surrounding world. You (yes, you adults) were born with this, too.

Have you lost yours, this divine structure as a child?

You can get it back again through prayer. It was never truly lost, just hidden. (And I am always happy to pray with anyone at any time to help you!)

Receive God’s kingdom as a little child again. Find your unwavering faith, divinely given love, filled with joy, peace, and true happiness in your heart.

God loves you and your divine structure awaits.

Rev. Bonnie Zickgraf is a retired pastor, registered nurse, electroplater, and podcaster. She continues to serve various preschool, youth, and adult ministries, including the Nurses’ Honor Guard for the State of Indiana. She loves to laugh, write, eat, and pray! Send comments to bonniezickgraf@gmail.com.