Becoming Little Children Again

I am almost always challenged each Friday night when I watch Bill Moyers' Journal on PBS. One of the guests on last night's program was Martin E. Marty, the author of The Mystery of the Child. He reminded the audience that we tend to think of childhood characteristics as a negative as we age. We especially see these negative characteristics in old folks as they refuse to allow anyone to assist them in their daily activities such as eating, walking, or dressing (my 90 year old father-in-law), They become childlike in their responses to family members and accusatory even in conversations with their loved ones.

Martin E. Marty, however, believes these childlike characteristics can been viewed positively if we focus on the unfolding, flowering, open nature of humans as they age. He stated that the highlight of his life is still yet to come. This view impresses me as a marvelously optimistic view of the aging process.

We often ponder the verse in Scripture where Jesus tells us to become as little children if we expect to inherit the kingdom of God. By that He does not mean to assume the negative characteristics but the positive ones of being open to the mysteries of life. For example, children are prone to ask many questions to adults at a young age. If, as adults, we can retain this same spirit of questioning, we can still learn and flower way into old age.