On Being a Little Girl

Oh, the wonder of little girls! Running, skipping, twirling with abandon. Arms outstretched. Hearts outstretched. Nothing closed, or cynical, or hard about them. How I love little girls! They giggle, they squeal, they love lavishly - without restraint. Their smiles, stories, and antics say, "Take my hand. I will show you how to play. How to laugh. How to find delight in the silliest of things." Though they know so little of the world, their world is so much larger and full of possiblility than those of us who claim to be grown up. Have you ever allowed yourself to be drawn into the world of a little girl?

How much their simple joy speaks of the profound. Open arms, open hearts, loving lavishly. This is the life we can re-capture as children of God. A life of abandon to the One who cares for us intimately...and always. We are so loved, so held tight, that we can be free to love lavishly and not worry for the world's reaction. Because we're safe, we can be free. Free to receive all that grace has to offer. Free to lavish grace, love, mercy, forgiveness upon others, for we have an endless Supplier of these gifts. Free to live a life of childlike faith, because "nothing is impossible with God." Does this mean that there is never pain, disappointment, heartache? We all know there is. Even little girls know this. But they also know where to run when they're afraid, need a hug, or a bandage. They don't give it a second thought. They run to whomever they have put their trust in. To those who have nutured them faithfully. They know that even though the "owie" still hurts, there are strong arms to hold them and reassure them everything will be ok...in the end.

And, we, who are the nurturers of such precious little ones are well aware that some "owies" don't get better right away. Some pain will have to be endured. Some things will strike them unaware - and be so unfair. But we also know that we will hold them throughout the midnight roar of thunder and lightning, if that's what it takes. We will lay with them and pray over them as they suffer through that bout of pain or fever. Have you ever laid your hands upon your suffering child and prayed that God would take the pain from them and give it to you instead? I have...so many times. These are the very things that Jesus does for us. He may not calm the storm, but He holds us. No matter the pain of body, heart, or soul, He "never leaves us nor forsakes us." And because we had no way to cure the "sickness" of sin in our lives, He took it upon HImself. All that wrath poured upon Him so that we could be healed and know peace.

So in the midst of this world that taunts like a school yard bully, we can know that we need not fear. "Our God is greater, our God is stronger, our God is higher than any other..." And when I joyfully watch little girls at play and little girls at rest, I will always pause mid-delight and be challenged to keep this same childlikeness. It is not the same as childishness. That would be foolish. But childlike faith is our calling in Christ. It trusts implicitly in the One who is eternally trustworthy. It is so possible if we embrace all that He is and all that He has accomplished for us. In the full power of God, Christ lives in every believer. He has conquered the "bully" forever. We need not fear...ever. In this faith I choose to stand...and to run, skip, twirl and giggle! "Oh the wonder of it all!" Thank you, Jesus. I love being a little girl.