This post was inspired by a friend who is currently student teaching
Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Matthew 18:3-4 After being asked who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Christ responds Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Nephi 9:22 Whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for such is the kingdom of God.
I read often in the scriptures of Christ telling adults that they must become as little children to inherit eternal life. This is an edict I have tried to implement into my personal life. I think the results so far are laughable but in those results I hope my efforts are seen and understood by He who is over all.
1. The first attribute of children that I think of when I ponder Christ's words is the honesty children possess. This is usually a blatant honesty of what they have done and how they feel about that. One aspect of myself that my acquaintances come to know as they become friends with me is my blunt methodology of communicating. If you ask me for an opinion you will get my opinion. If I feel I need to confess something between friends, I usually will without provocation. If I believe that you need to know something about me before a relationship progresses, I tell you. This has led to some bemusing interactions which I will leave up to the imaginations of the readers.
2. The other attribute I have been focusing on is the meekness and humility many young children exhibit.
From this I have taken that I must be willing to be taught in all situations. I have tried to implement this in my schooling and also in my day-to-day interactions. I make it a goal to find something in which I could improve every day. This has led me to focusing on the good which resides within each individual. This hasn't worked out well every time so I'll probably be torquing that idea just a bit so that I can learn from others' poor choices .
I would like to add elementary forms of torture, such as shoving crayons up noses.
ReplyDeleteBut no for reals, I like this. I never thought of the first one quite like that.
I think everyone can benefit from a willingness to learn and be honest throughout their lives. Though, I believe more many, doing either of these becomes progressively harder as they/you age. It is found easier to lie or gloss over the truth for the sake of comfort of yourself or others. In an extension of that same sense of comfort a rigidness to being open to learning new things that may redefine or change the way one has happily lived. To change from a habitual creature to a evolutionary one is unsettling, even terrifying for many. I am so happy this is at the forefront of your thinking, to be honest and open, willing.
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