“When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
This is one of my favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis because the Kingdom of Heaven is explored by those who are converted and become like little children. I have often been around Grown Ups, who claim to be grown up, and growl at those around them to grow up, and having been around them I conclude if that’s what it looks like to be grown up, I don’t want to. Little Children never lose hope, they believe in (everything), they trust, aren’t sceptical, or cynical, or dark, and discouraged. The exception of course would be a child growing up in an evil abusive family, but of course as children of The kingdom, we are part of an amazing household, with extraordinary parental care and affection.
Little Children love life, love living life, and expect life to get better. They believe all the stories. They really believe in “I’m sorry,” and without fearing the risk, they actually restart with others when they hear it. They don’t live with suspicion, they have heroes, and actually think they can become one too. Little Children expect happy endings, and when disappointed they don’t think life is over, (at least for very long), they become open to the next cool thing to do. Grown Ups don’t pitch fits; they just get bitter. Kids aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, or to ask stupid questions, because knowing they don’t know everything (that’s ok to them), they want to learn. They live fascinated, dream big. They see the good, and assume it will win out. When betrayed, instead of being scarred, they simply go to the next fun thing. When disciplined in love, they soon want to play again with the one that corrected them. They are convinced that to be grown up must be the coolest, funnest thing to be; that’s why they dress up like them, and pretend to be one. Little children would never waste their time dressing up and pretending to be something that’s miserable, cynical, and depressed. Of course as the years go by, we take on responsibilities and have to resist and repent of the childishness of self centered irresponsibility, but to retain a childlike heart in the midst of a fallen world is true freedom and Christlikeness. O the joy of a pure heart that sees God everyday, in everything. To sustain Holy innocence and naivety, while learning to be wise is a great gift. Of course living life without always emotionally bracing yourselves for the next blow is risky, but without risk there is no adventure, and children love adventure, and the treasures it brings. I believe that Christ was the most childlike person who ever lived. His responsibilities, and the pressures and heartbreaking things He dealt with were unimaginable, yet He said His yoke was easy, and His burden was light. The most difficult thing He faced, He faced with “joy set before Him.” May we all rediscover the heart of childlikeness and rediscover my favorite sacrament of all; the sacrament of fun, which brings our Holy Abba such joy.