“Unless You Become Like Little Children”

By Megan Lacourrege

As a parent, much of my job is to teach my kids, but I love the moments when my kids teach me. It’s awe-inspiring, to be sure.

I often have reflected on Jesus’s words from Matthew’s Gospel: “Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” What better example is there to learn how to be like a little child than your own children?

My son Jessie first comes to mind. I am entirely humbled by this little boy whose short life on earth ended while still in the womb. I wish I could be as innocent and beautiful as he is! I know that I have ungratefully and selfishly held on to this life as though it is a given, as if I am deserving of all of life’s good things. Jessie handed his soul over to our good God before ever getting the chance to experience any of these good things. I am amazed by his childlike trust. His example inspires me to become a better person.

Recently, Jessie’s baby brother was born. It’s been five years since we had our first child, so it has been amazing to revisit the experience of welcoming a new little person into our home.

Newborns are so reliant on others! Countless diaper changes, feedings, burping, baths and the list goes on. Being a little child in this life seems to mean entrusting ourselves to the adults around us to fulfill our needs, even when we can’t communicate to them with words.

In that way, this new baby shows me glimpses of what I should be in my relationship with God. I should recognize my weaknesses and needs and hand them over to God to be fulfilled. In my complete reliance on him, I should believe what Jesus says – that our heavenly father knows all of our needs before we even say them. It is in acting on all of this as truth that we, I believe, can grow immensely in humility and be truly fit to enter with joy into the father’s house.