Pondering the Beauty of a Childlike Faith

Via Pulchritudinis
The Way of Beauty
 
By Sharon Clossick

     RECENTLY, BABIES AND CHILDREN have been the hot topic of conversation within our home.  This is because our oldest daughter is expecting her first child next month. My husband and I are over the moon, ecstatic because this is also our first grandchild.  It’s been a while since we’ve talked about young children, not to mention getting ready to have one again in our daily lives.  I must confess, even though I raised four children who are now all in their twenties, I feel slightly inadequate and a little rusty to be around babies and young children.  What is all this going to look like?  Welcoming a new baby is not only life-changing for the parents, but we are coming to understand that it is life-changing for grandparents as well!  As I’ve been reflecting on having young children in our lives, one of the gospel readings this week caught my attention more so than usual.

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”  Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them. Mark 10:13-16
 
     We will not enter the Kingdom of God unless we accept it like a child?  We may be tempted to breeze right over this gospel because at first glance it seems almost too simple.  Or perhaps we feel a disconnect simply because we can no longer relate to what it’s like to be a child.  I must confess, this gospel never spoke to me as much as other gospels have.  I wonder why this is.  Do we fully understand what Jesus is saying to us in this passage?  I don’t know about you, but it’s been quite a while since I’ve been a child.  Many of us probably don’t think too much about what it was like when we were children.  Maybe for some of us there are painful memories from our past that we’ve tucked away, or maybe the daily responsibilities and anxieties of our daily lives prevent us from remembering the innocence and simplicity of what it was like to be young.  Whatever the case may be, most of us don’t stop too long to ponder our childhood. 
 
     For me, this past week has been a reflection on my past.  I’m not sure I made a conscious decision to do this, but instead I believe that the Holy Spirit put this on my heart.  Let me explain.  In celebration of my husband’s birthday, we decided to enjoy a day in Newport, touring the mansions and walking the famous Cliff Walk.  We decided to end the day with a drink on the lawn of the Newport Castle Hill Inn, overlooking Narragansett Bay.  While we were sitting on the Adirondack chairs and taking in the beauty of the ocean, we noticed a couple of young families sitting next to us with two small children.  One young girl about the age of nine was frolicking in the grass by herself, doing handstands, one upon another and another.  This instantly struck my attention for two reasons.  First, because sadly, most children while out with their parents, occupy their time looking at an electronic tablet of some sort.  The sight of this girl playing was refreshing.  She was entertaining herself by practicing her gymnastics on the plush lawn of the Castle Hill Inn.  The second reason it struck my attention was because I saw the mirror image of myself in this girl.  Watching her brought me immediately back to my childhood.  As a child, I was most often upside down, doing the same handstands and cartwheels in the grass, yelling out to whomever would listen to “watch me”!  I couldn’t help but reflect on those innocent days.  I instantly felt that childlike freedom of joy and simplicity. 
 
     This girl was secure, knowing her parents were right next to her.  The feeling was almost tangible.  She didn’t need to hang on them or talk with them.  She was simply there; joyful, content, and secure.  In that moment I saw her living out her childlike freedom.  My observation of this scene playing out was perhaps my own recollection of memories from my childhood.  There was a beauty in this moment that I couldn’t stop thinking about.   It was the childlike purity that perhaps I had forgotten about and what Jesus calls us to.
 
     I believe that God was speaking to me that day through this nine-year-old girl on the lawn of the Castle Hill Inn.  God knew that I didn’t quite understand the gospel reading that week and decided to show me what exactly He meant when he said, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  Oh yes, I now see, Lord. 

     This is what Jesus means when he tells us that we must enter the Kingdom of God like a child.  I finally understand what Jesus meant that day as I sat at the Castle Hill Inn quietly observing this beautiful young child living out her purity and innocence.  I know Jesus was smiling as he watched her every handstand and cartwheel.  I felt God smile on me as well, as He reminded me of the beautiful gift of a pure child’s trust and freedom.  That moment was a gift and a way that the Holy Spirit communicated His knowledge of what it means to come to Him as a child.  Praise be Jesus for speaking to us in the most beautiful ways. 

     The above image is of the Holy Spirit I was recently commissioned to do for Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Wakefield, RI for Pentecost Sunday.  Prayer cards were created and passed out to parishioners and a print of this image hangs in the rectory of the parish. 

     I pray for all the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom on this Memorial Day and I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend with your families.


Peace,

Sharon



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