Daily Meditation: November 23, 2020

by The Reverend E. Gary Taylor on November 23, 2020

Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

- Luke 18:16


There are many really wonderful parts of my job as Head at Trinity School, and certainly among the best is the intersection of Trinity Church and Trinity School. Each morning, I get to center my life in the church with children for daily worship before we move to the business and busy-ness of the day.

At the geographic interaction of the church and school is the stained glass window in the corner where one exits the church on the way to the stairs down to the school, the last on the right as you face the altar. It is a depiction of this passage from Luke: Jesus swarmed by children while the adults stand by, perplexed or even bothered by what is going on.

We all know adults like this, who really don't know what to do with children and feel a little out of their comfort zone around them. They usually have a sense they have to be perfect role models or have to watch assiduously every word they say, every deed they do for fear of "doing something wrong" and somehow leading the child astray.

Jesus was not like this at all. The most powerful speaker of all time, the One to whom adults turned to for wisdom and answers to life's most difficult questions, knew the secret to being with children is BEING with children, stripped of pretense and the need to get everything right and just reveling in their curiosity and sincerity and joy.

Last week Trinity School honored Mo Willems, the celebrated children's author and Trinity alumnus from the class of 1982, as our Alumni Award winner this year. Anyone who has read his books knows Mr. Willems is a "kid-person" like Jesus was.. Through his writing, his appearances, his videos, even his illustrations, Mr. Willems connects with children in a way that conveys his respect for them, that joins them in looking at life honestly and with a humor that never makes fun of someone but instead makes fun with someone. He shows that it’s OK to fail sometimes, to be scared or nervous or uncertain. He pulls away the mask of having to be someone you’re not and gets down to the real business of living. He tells simple stories of gentle truth and courageous kindness … with a lot of humor thrown in.

Next time you find yourself in the presence of a child, you'll be lucky if you have a copy of Mo's "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" close at hand.

For the most part, children don't need you to have all the answers, they just need YOU - to share a story and a laugh, to share God's love that is, in most of them, full to overflowing in a way that can remind all of us of the true meaning of grace.

Dance Reflection Children of National Dance Institute - Saints!

Lord we thank you for children. Help us to see them as perpetual signs of your love and grace. Grant us the patience to see past their immaturity to the wonder of their innocence, and to take nourishment from their energy, curiosity, and joy. Amen.