In Matthew 18, Jesus says we are to become like little children if we want to enter heaven. While many think adopting childlike traits will lead to life after death, for me, it’s more immediate. By incorporating specific childlike behaviors, I believe we’re attracting elements of heaven into our lives now.
The top 4 traits to emulate are
- Trust
- Awe
- Joy
- Acting on divine prompts
Trust
As children trust their parents, we can place our deep trust in something greater than ourselves. This ultimate expression of faith acknowledges there’s an intelligence behind creation. When we believe this, we are freed from the pressure that we must do everything on our own. The Most Loving is here to help us live fully.
Trust leads to the understanding we need more than ourselves in this existence.
Awe
We cultivate wonder when we focus on the present moment. We may listen to birdsong, gaze at puffy white clouds moving across a bright blue sky, whiff a roses’ aroma or feel our heart beat. With awe, we become curious and focus on the world around us. We appreciate and honor those moments instead of taking them for granted.
Awe leads to reverence.
Joy
Few sounds are more uplifting than a child’s laugh. Most adults, myself included, become too focused on commitments and future needs, taking each day far too seriously. Let’s make time to play, and be silly, mischievous and fun. Lighthearted times restore our mind, body and soul. A lighter frame of mind transforms our outlook on life.
Joy cultivates gratitude.
Acting on divine prompts
Young children, who still remember the heavenly realm, are more likely to act on divine nudges. Unlike adults, they don’t second guess the urging they get or wonder how it will be received; they just act on it.
Recently, a neighbor child was speaking with me when suddenly he set down his bike and gave me a bear hug. He held nothing back. He showed his love fully, making himself vulnerable. Little did he know how badly I needed it that day.
What is a divine prompt? It is an urge—appearing out of nowhere—to act or give someone a message out of love and kindness. It normally won’t go away without your action, but it will keep coming to you, getting stronger each time until you do it.
When we heed a divine prompt, we strengthen our intuition, and spread love and kindness to others.
Let’s reclaim what we have lost in adulthood and reap the spiritual, emotional and physical benefits they bring us.
#allmyownwords