Act Like a Child

I’ve learned more than a few things from my dear friend, Beth Davis, so when she told me she was finally convinced on the most effective path to holiness, I was intrigued.

“Spiritual childhood!” she exclaimed.

The idea of being a child in the spiritual life had always seemed “cute” to me, but not practical. I took pride in being self-sufficient, and I’ve pretty much considered myself an adult since my twelfth birthday (sorry, Mom and Dad).

Being “childlike” had no positive connotations in my mind, and up until a few months ago, I considered the term a synonym for immaturity. But as I heard Beth testify to this path to holiness as one free of shame and condemnation, full of life and wonder, and as Saint Therese of Lisieux would say, “[An] elevator of humble confidence” (source), I began to open my heart to the possibility of becoming a child again.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Father, “Although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike” (Matthew 11:25).

If you’re like me, you may have had an experience or two that forced you to grow up quickly or convinced you that it’s all up to you and you have to take care of yourself. But Jesus reminds us of the grace that is available to us when we appear childlike to the Father.

When we lay down our complexities and plans, we are free to live based on the truth that we love Him and He loves us in return.

Not everything in life is simple, but we have a tendency to make things more difficult than they need to be with our self-reliance (preaching to myself here!). Our childlike dependency can not only free us from the burden of "I need to take care of everything myself," but it reveals the heart of the Father and His willingness to provide for us in every circumstance.

Today, let’s resolve to rest in the arms of Our Father, knowing that He will take care of everything.

P.S. In case you needed a reminder, you are a good daughter.

P.P.S. Readings from Optional Memorial of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin

He will take care of everything. // Kelsey Dassance Click to tweet

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