What's So Special About Little Kids?

"Do your eyes light up when a child walks into a room?"  I've seen this quote of Toni Morrison over & over again.  And without even knowing who she is or the context of this quote, I've been asking myself this question several times.  How do I react when a child walks into a room?  Does Lucy know how much her Granny genuinely loves her? 

But, before I began to delve into my own introspection, I went to my Source.  Time after time, God's word shows us just how the Most High regards children.  Such as ...

(Jesus giving the Sermon on the Mount & He set forth the Beatitudes -- Matthew 5) ...

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

Why does Jesus refer to His followers as children?  What's so special about children?

And again ...

(When the disciples were arguing about who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven -- Matthew 18)...

In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.  

I am a Granny to a 3 year old (Lucy's turning 3 this Friday), and a Little Valentine with an ETA mid-Feb 2012.  I was chatting with a friend on Facebook tonight, and her little granddaughter is a few months younger than Lucy.  It's so evident that my friend's face lights up every time her little granddaughter is within any distance of her heart -- which is always.  I think about the times that Lucy wraps her little arms around my neck and just buries her head in my shoulder, and whispers I love you, Granny.  

Why did God give little children such power to take our hearts & hold them hostage for eternity to come?  

My Granny was the role model of loving little children. There were 11 of us grandkids, 13 great-grandkids, and now 4 great-great grandkids & 2 more due by next spring. (I apologize ahead of time if my family reads this & my counting is off).  Here is one of my treasured pictures of my Granny with my newborn daughter.  Granny was having radiation treatments at one hospital and I was across town at another hospital with our newborn. Our town just had a snowstorm and it was mid February.  But after our discharge, I wanted Granny to meet her first great-granddaughter.  

My Granny meeting her 1st great-granddaughter.

If there's another woman on this earth who loves her grandchildren & now great-grandchild as much as my Granny did, it's my Mother.  On the morning that my daughter's water broke, I called my Mother.  My Daddy was just getting back to work after having back surgery. So, Mother decided to get in her car & make the 2 hour trek to the hospital in the middle of a busy city's morning rush hour.  She was eager to meet her first great-granddaughter Lucy (who happens to be my Granny's namesake).  Mother put her own health issues aside to be with her first granddaughter who was giving birth to her first great-granddaughter.  (And I just happen to be Mother's first daughter too!)

My Mother meeting her first great-granddaughter.

So, back to the question ... do your eyes light up when a child (or your child) walks into a room?  How do children know they are loved?  How do they know they are important?  What do they think of us adults?  I believe God gave children a sense about them that most adults do not possess -- a sense of knowing when they are loved or not ... knowing if they are accepted or not ... knowing if they are cared for or not.

Kids are very smart ... they're very perceptive ... and they remember.  They can spot a "faker" a mile away ... that is, they can tell when adults "don't like them".  I feel sorry for the adults who intentionally miss out on knowing God's gift to us through children.  Sometimes His greatest gifts come in the smallest packages. 

Consider these lyrics and then ask yourself "what is so special about little kids?"

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
There wouldn't be no Santa Clause
Look what the stork just brought
Thank God for kids

We'd all live in a quiet house
Without Big Bird or a Mickey Mouse
And Kool-aid on the couch
Thank God for kids

Thank God for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Did you ever stop to think, or wonder why?
The nearest thing to Heaven is a child

A 'Daddy how does this thing fly?'
A hundred other where's and why's
I really don't know but I try
Thank God for kids

When I look down in those trustin' eyes
That look to me, I realize
It's love that I can't buy
Thank God for kids

Thank God for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Did you ever stop to think, or wonder why?
The nearest thing to Heaven is a child

When you get down on your knees tonight
To thank the Lord for his guiding light
And pray they turn out right
Thank God for kids
Hmmm, thank God for kids

On Friday, our little Princess will turn 3 ... it's hard to believe how fast time has flown by.  I realize with each passing day that Lucy will only be "this age" only once in her lifetime ... and only once in my lifetime.  So, Granddad & I are enjoying this "ride" everyday ... we don't want to miss out!

Princess Lucy with Princess Rapunzel at G-G's house.

G-G & Grandpa always get Lucy a birthday cake!