Childlike Faith
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The boys and I were almost home from basketball practice when Levi, my eight-year-old, began complaining that his head was hurting badly. The conversation continued like this.
MOM: And?
LEVI: Is there something that will help it?â€
(You have to understand a couple things. One, I don’t give my children a lot of medicines. And two, Levi has a shunt, so headaches occur from time to time.)
MOM: I don’t know about something, but I know Someone.
Silence.
MOM: Who is the greatest physician?
Silence
MOM: Who was the greatest healer to ever live?
CASEY (my seven-year-old): I know; I know.
LEVI: God and Jesus.
MOM: Yes, Levi, you’re right. Now what you can do is pray, “Jesus, I believe in you and I know you can. There is nothing you cannot do, if only I ask.â€
A few moments passed. He said nothing. I asked him if he had prayed. After another pause, he replied, “Okay, Mom, I did.†We drove a short distance farther, and I asked, “Is your headache better?â€
“It’s gone, †he replied. I then explained the importance of always thanking God for answered prayers.
The next day, Levi and I said a prayer before he went in for testing. I guided him in a prayer of belief that he would do well, and that Jesus would be there to help him. Later, he went with me to a WAC district meeting. I let him have my number for the door prize drawing. His number was the first to be called. After he ran up and got the clock he wanted, he shared, “Mom, I prayed for my number to be called first so I could get the clock, and it was.” He picked the clock to share with Casey because he didn’t go.
I had been praying that God would teach me how to lead my boys to Him. Even though I was raised in church, my boys haven’t been. In just a few short prayers with Levi, he’s already got it. He knows he only needs to believe and ask. Childlike faith in action is such a wonderful thing. I now desire the same childlike faith I see in my son.
—Denice White
Arkansas
