This week’s article is written by Jan VanMeter, a member of Godfrey First United Methodist Church, 1100 Airport Road.
My father and I talked the other day about his great-great-grandson, James, who of course is also my great-grandson; we talked about how he is such a joy to watch no matter what he is doing. How he is so curious and energetic ... so loving and so full of heart-melting moments.
It brought me to thinking about the happiness he brings and how it is reflected in my daughter Cris, his grandmother. I watch how she interacts with him: she could be talking, discussing something with great fervor with someone, but the minute her eyes see James, or he draws her attention, she is a goner. Her demeanor changes, a glow comes about her and her face lights up with a smile. At that point, I don’t think I have ever seen my daughter look more beautiful. And as she looks at him, to her nothing is more important, and everything is right with the world. I love seeing this.
In this season of Christmas and in the coming of a new year, I pray we see through a child’s eyes the wonderment of all that can be.
Brenda Race’s poem, “Through the Eyes of a Child” ends with: “To see through the eyes of a child would mean so much. God grant us the gift to look back as a child. To trust and to love with a soul undefiled. Looking once more through the eyes of a child.”
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” ~ Matthew 18:2-5, NIV