No Fear in Love
Love like children
Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Luke 18:16-17
I experienced this passage in a new way this week when I dropped off Esther, my 13-month old daughter, at daycare. Everyday before leaving, I would request a departing kiss. She usually ignores me, and I would plant a kiss on her chubby cheeks while she’s busy talking on her toy phone. This week a friend from her class overheard my request. He looked at me and took advancing steps toward my direction with arms wide open. He must have heard “give mommy a kiss” and didn’t care whose mommy was asking.
The friend was ready to take the offer given and rejected by Esther. He didn’t care whose mommy it was. All he knew was that it was an offer of affection. When he came toward me, I knew there was no taking it back. The look on his face was one of anticipation and familiarity. I knew I had to extend Esther’s offer to him as well. I wanted to survive the day germ- free so I offered him a hug instead. (He was ready to give me a kiss square on the lips). So sweet!
The next day before I left, he walked toward me and wanted his hug with the same look on his face as the day before. There was no shame, nor fear of rejection in his approach. Is it because he never experienced those things? Probably. I think it’s because he hasn’t experienced enough rejection to unlearn the desire for affection and love.
The call to the spiritual life is to journey into the inner depths of our own souls to unlearn the painful rejection we’ve experienced in our lifetime. We’ve learned to stop asking and stop offering love. The challenge is to relearn the depths of the childish heart that cries for that love. The longing deep in our hearts is the cry for love that we no longer know how to express.
We need to find the path back to love. The road that will lead us back to our center is to follow our own inner longing. The deep one. That one that was placed in our hearts before we were born by our Daddy. It’s the “find my phone” app on your smartphone. The artist’s signature on His masterpiece. It’s the way creation can track itself back to the Creator. It’s a place where Creator and creation can join each other in love and harmony. The steps along the way are unique to each individual. The destination is the same for everyone. Communion with the Lord.
A big baby step to get there is to love like a child. To ask for love because you want it, you need it, and you can’t survive without it. Forget and unlearn the rejection. Try again without prior memory. Start with asking God because He’s the fastest to give but hardest to please.
Image: Mary Cassatt. Mother and Child V.