story & picture by: lisa petrarca
Do you ever think back to that little child inside of you? The days when you had no cares. The days were long, filled with neighborhood games; street ball, hide-n-seek, catching butterflies, frogs and lizards. The endless hours spent at the lake or beach...swimming and enjoying each day.
I often long for the days when I was carefree, pain free and took the time to enjoy each and every moment of the day. At what point did I lose my child-like joy?
At what age did you leave that happy, sweet child behind and become a busy, worried, stressed out adult? When did you stop finding joy in the simple pleasures of life? You somehow lost your inner child to responsibility, over-commitment, work and daily life struggles. But your Heavenly Father still sees you as a child. He wants you to have child-like joy and trust. The burdens you carry are to be given to Him each and every morning, continually laying them at His feet throughout the day.
You are not meant to do this alone. He is your Father. He expects and wants you to lean on Him, look to Him and ask Him for help so you can look at your day through His eyes. Even with all of your responsibilities, He can still fill you with child-like joy and a peace beyond understanding. The Lord's view is full of wisdom and love. There is nothing you face or come up against that is too hard, impossible or beyond God's ability to help you. Go to Him in prayer today as His little child. Ask to see situations in your life through His eyes and not your own. He will take you, His child, into His loving, caring embrace, which surpasses all understanding and show you how to have child-like faith, peace and joy again. Trust your Father in Heaven...HE LOVES YOU!
“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed!" Job 26:2-3
"Does God listen to their cry when distress comes upon them? Will they find delight in the Almighty? Will they call on God at all times? I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal." Job 27:9-11
" The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:1-4
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ReplyDeleteThanks I'll stop by!
DeleteI have always thought to be called childlike, immature, childish...etc; was a compliment! It is such an undervalued trait in society (to be childlike) and that is sad. Never is one closer to finding true joy than when he/she reconnects with their inner rugrat! As an artist, my inner child gets to come out and play all the time and for that I am truly grateful. I really enjoyed this read, you inspire me!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kerry and so true!
DeleteAwesome post Lisa. I have not been that little girl since second grade. With the stress of family, going through puberty really early, and being the eldest in my family, I have had to grow up a whole lot quicker than a lot of my peers. My Dad didn't really have a childhood either and that is a reason why he didn't care if his children had a childhood as well. I love being around children. They bring out the child in you that is asleep and/or never awoken. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late...make it a point to do some of the things you missed!<3
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