Becoming As A Little Child

Last night we came across these verses in 3 Nephi chapter 11 of the Book of Mormon:

37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and ^abecome as a ^blittle child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little ^achild, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

The parallel formation of these two verses stood out to me, bringing to focus what was different.  In the first one, you become like a little child and then be baptized. In the second verse you are baptized and then become like a little child.

I asked my family why they thought both of these verses would be included.  Quinn pointed out that it is important to become as a little child so that we are humble enough to be baptized but after we are baptized it is just as important to maintain that child-like demeanor.

This morning I woke up and pondered on what it means to be child-like.  A good friend of mine posted on Instagram recently about watching her kiddos at the park and learning from them. I thought about things my own kids have shown me recently and a couple things stood out:

-Spooner (7) is always saying, "Today is the best day ever!!!" True, he occasionally also has "the worst day ever" but rarely.  He approaches each new day full of hope and anticipation.  During my prayer this morning, a little of that attitude crept in my heart and it was a good feeling :).

-Whenever someone is hurt or suffering, both Eli (5) and Liesl (2) will soften up their whole demeanor and gently approach the person, pudgy little hands outstretch to offer a hug, gentle stroke or comforting hand accompanied with soft words.  At that moment, the only thing that matters is the suffering person or creature and my little ones are full of love and compassion.

-Snuggling is not only sufficient but essential. It's okay to stop everything for a good snuggle. It goes a long way.

-There is power in gazing into someone's eyes and just letting love and sincerity flow.  As adults, we hide too much of ourselves.  Maybe we are afraid of being vulnerable.  There is beauty in the bravery of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable.

-They trust me implicitly.  Which reminds me of a favorite video at our house:

"They trust me so completely.  How I long to do the same."

Fresh starts.  Hope.  Pure love.  Child-like.

I am so grateful for the little examples that surround me and remind me of the beauty of becoming child-like. 

Hope

 I discovered and discussed this painting this morning with Piper.  It beautiful captures my heart at different stages in my road to emotional healing.   Just sitting and looking at this art after reading the description really touched me.  Maybe it will bless others.

HOPE

by George Frederick Watts. (1817-1904)

This is one of the earliest of the great morality pictures by which Watts earned his fame. Describing these, he said: "All my pictures in the Tate Gallery are symbolic and for all time. Their symbolism is , however, more suggestive than worked out in detail." He goes on: "I want to make people think. My intention has not been so much to paint pictures that will charm the eye as to suggest great thoughts that will appeal to the imagination and the heart, and kindle all that is best and noblest in humanity."

"Hope" illustrates the power of these pictures to make people think. The blinded figure, seated on the sphere with her broken lyre, is bending her ear to catch what music she may from the last remaining string. She cannot see the star shining above her; one by one the sweet notes of music have been taken from her, but still she sits, bowed but not broken, plucking with tender fingers whatever melody she may from the last string of those that gave her the full harmonies of beauty. She has no vision either of the star above or of the world of darkness and gloom below. Her attitude of dejection almost rejects the conventional idea that there is happiness to be found when everything seems lost, but the picture suggests the larger hope of the world that there is peace and light above the turmoil and sorrow of the earth.

Watts was something more than a painter. He painted for no gain save the reward of achievement when he felt he has a message to deliver through his pictures. To his purposes he deliberately sacrificed his natural dexterity and technique, holding that the artist should be lost in his picture. Nevertheless, the power of colour which is exhibited in "Hope" is one of the most marked qualities of his work. The whole is a delicate harmony in blues and greens, and is suggestive of the Italian influence which so strongly affected the painter.

--Tate Gallery, London