We have two dogs. One is blond, one is black. One is a girl, one is a boy. One is old, one is young. One is Eeyore, the other Tigger. And the differences between them make me laugh.
Eeyore and Tigger (taken a few months ago)
Jessie, our golden retriever, is nine years old and is definitely slowing down. You can see it in how she moves, how she responds, and even the looks on her face that seem to say “I think I’d rather just take a nap.” Tuck, on the other hand, is our chow/german shepherd mix. He is about 8 months old and wakes up with a smile on his face, ready to face the day. He kisses and raises his paws to “hug” you when he sees you. He leaps and jumps and just radiates a joy in every little aspect of life. Much to Jessie’s chagrin…
Jessie once had that zest for life, but the years are catching up with her. She would rather walk than run, nap than play. Poor Tuck tries to inspire and invite her into his world. She patiently puts up with his energy level, but would rather not participate. It’s funny to watch Eeyore and Tigger, but it’s also a little sad.
It reminded me of the “truth of youth”. The uninhibited joy, openness, transparency and authenticity. Refreshing and endearing. The young are the most receptive to learning and changing and growing. They soak things up like sponges. They have not yet developed walls of defensiveness, pride and fear. They take it all in with vigor and passion.
I saw a little girl in the store a couple days ago. She was sitting in the shopping cart, singing her little lungs out, not afraid of who would hear or what they would think. I saw another child skipping and dancing in the aisles, asking honest questions of her mother that most of us would be too embarrassed to ask. I couldn’t help but smile. The beauty of unguarded, unjaded living. Precious.
It’s no wonder that Jesus said we need to be like children when we come to Him. Honest. Open. Unafraid. Trusting. That’s the place where are hearts are young and most real. Where we can learn and change and grow. Where we are most receptive to loving and being loved. Where the walls fall down and new open spaces of possibility appear.
Time passes. Age happens. Maturity, hopefully, happens, too. But it should never rob us of carrying the “truth of youth”. It should never steal our child hearts. Jesus and the life He gives us should leave us with that childlike wonder, with our eyes wide open and our speechless mouths gaping in amazement. May we never stop singing at the top of our lungs and dancing in the aisles… and inviting the “Jessies” to join us.
Matthew 19:13-14 – Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
