Innocence

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement

Innocence

With a sweet smile, the three-year-old broke her graham cracker in half and offered it to the weary looking man on the park bench. One of the charms of little children is their innocence. They see the world with a trust that we can’t enjoy. Don’t we wish everyone and everything in this world was as worthy of trust as little ones think. We learned the hard way that often things, people, and situations are not what they seem. As a result, we can become extremely cynical to the point we don’t trust anything or anyone. Or we can put on rose-colored glasses and resist reckoning with the possibility of corruption, disappointing, dirty, nasty things that aren’t as hunky-dory as they seem.

Either extreme is harmful to us. Fortunately for the above little girl, Mama was right there to smile pleasantly, make a kind remark, take the child’s hand, and lead her away. As they walked, the mother explained she should never talk or make any contact with strangers unless she is with a parent or teacher. Rather, she should run away from one who is trying to befriend her and find help. Sad, isn’t it? Yet we live in a fallen world, and we must be alert to the snares around us. We even need to check out things said by those well positioned people around us who purport to be a trustworthy authority. The world is awash with those who would cleverly corrupt our thinking.

What’s the answer to being wise and alert but not cynical and hostile? Stay in frequent communication with our God, our loving Heavenly Father. He is trustworthy. He is for us. He cares what befalls us. He is available to guide us. When we immerse ourselves in Bible study and prayer, and surround ourselves with others who love Jesus, He will help us balance trust with caution and reveal the inner heart of those who are around us. Whether we are informed by friends, media, elected or appointed officials, as well as columnists, our Heavenly Father is for us and will alert us to what is true or what is skewed. We only have to ask and listen to His word to our heart.