Being a Child

With her big blue eyes and soft curls, Isabel rested her face in her hands. She smiled the world’s purest smile and sighed. “It’s fun being a child.”

Sometimes I forget she’s only two. She’ll be three in a couple weeks, but she is still so young! Then such profound statements roll off her tongue … I am lost in the wonder of God. How could He pack so much delight, intelligence, creativity, perception and enthusiasm in such a tiny package? She is beyond amazing to me, and the God who created her is unfathomable. I cannot even begin to comprehend all that He is.

In addition to His character is the truth of His love.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

I think about Isabel’s statement. My teenage years were a blast! Without hesitation I admit: it’s fun being a teen. But being a child? That’s a different story. My parents’ divorce and the circumstances causing and extending from that filled my childhood with fear, doubt and insecurity. I didn’t know where I belonged and I never wanted to be where I was. I was lonely. I was lost. I was angry. It was not fun being a child.

I am so grateful Isabel and Zach have a different story. It is because of the differences they can enjoy their childhood. What was lacking in my childhood is present in theirs. Best of all, what is lacking from even their childhood is present in a relationship with God, the perfect Father.

As I’ve grown up, my ideas of fun have changed drastically. Once upon a fun always included a large group of people, wild activities and often loud music. Now, I love staying home and watching tv with only one person (my husband, of course). Fun isn’t always what you’re doing. It’s your circumstances and your attitude.

It’s fun being a child of God, not because we have the best toys and crazy parties, but because of the security and peace found in knowing we are fully loved by an awesome, faithful Father. It’s difficult to be bored when you recognize every day is a gift. You can’t easily be depressed when you have a Savior who not only sees past your superficial persona, but knows all your deepest, darkest secrets and loves you in spite of them. I’m not saying life is wonderful and filled with cotton candy. Christians have trials just like everybody else. But as children of God, we find security, safety, love, peace, joy, rest … everything we need and more in our Holy Father God. We know He is fully capable of anything and everything we request. Furthermore, we know He loves us and will give us what is best for us. In that we find immeasurable freedom. What’s more fun than freedom?