A Toddler Teaches Me About God

June 2011, I wrote about a particular baby getting under my skin in a most supernatural and delightful way. The oddness being I was baby averse at the time. Handling infants was just outside of my comfort zone. A read of the previous post would increase your understanding and enjoyment of this one. If you choose not to, no worries. I've found in years of pastoring people that advice is rarely taken. So be it.

Then, Tobias was a 10 week old ill-taken-care-of scrawny infant. Today, Tobias is a thriving and well loved 20 month old boy.  My wife and I, his de facto parents, are still in our  mid-fifties, and the biggest chunk of my time is devoted to his care, maintenance and growth. I remain overjoyed at the prospect of seeing my de facto son grow into a mature, happy and secure adult. Don't get me wrong, it is hard, tiresome and often frustrating but there is an otherworldly joie de vivre or verve (joy of life) that comes from being loved so unconditionally by someone so helpless to do anything in exchange. Pouring my love and care into such a needy creature brings with it a wonderful delight very similar, I imagine, to God's, and not unlike the relationship he is attempting to have with us.

Unfortunately, as we grow older the tragedy of skepticism sets in and losing our innocence we gain a myriad of anxieties, most frightful the fear of rejection. Tobias has no fear of rejection. He knows he is the center of the universe.

I observed a near miracle as Tobias voluntarily shared a toy with another child, a stranger. My heart swelled with pride, the good kind. I'm sure the Father of us all feels much the same way when we leap a hurdle, one most likely placed there by him in the first place.

One example, inherent to toddlers, and Tobias is no different, when he wants something and is thwarted or told no, the command is either ignored or he goes into a flailing fit, behavior sadly similar to the man looking back at me from the mirror. Only I don't normally throw myself on the ground and cry.

God in His unlimited patience reacts much the same as I do to Tobias. He gently talks me down off the ledge or ignores the fit until it stops, and a few minutes later my passions move on to something else.

Oh how I wish I could be more like Tobias in my trust of God. He doesn't doubt my fidelity. He doesn't wake up in the morning worrying, "I hope I have enough milk today." His concerns are playing with his many toy cars and whether he watches Yo Gabba Gabba or Baby Einstein. In short he simply enjoys life and relationships so transparently that he can't conceive of worrying about it.

How much happier would we be if we could learn this from a toddler?

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." - Jesus Matthew 18:3

Location:Broadway,Sacramento,United States