Always Be a Child

This past Sunday, I was privileged to share in the sacrament of baptism. At the conclusion of that baptism, as is my tradition, I walked up and down the center aisle of the church singing to Raelynn. The song I sang on Sunday, as requested by the parents, was “Always Be a Child.”

I’ve sung that song literally hundreds of times (counting all the rehearsals and singing in the shower), but I’ve never had quite the same feeling as I did on Sunday. Let me try to explain.

As I walked and sang, I could see the baby's eyes growing heavier and heavier. She was obviously very relaxed and enjoying every moment. As I watched her eyes finally close, I listened to the words that I was singing:

“You will always be a child in my eyes.
And when you need some love, my arms are open wide.
And even when you’re growing old, I hope you’ll realize
You will always be a child in my eyes.”

I couldn’t help but connect the message of the words from the song with the actions of this tiny infant. It was almost as if she was saying (without saying anything at all):
As a child of God, I am happy
As a child of God, I am content
As a child of God, I am at peace

And therein lies the message for all of us. As children of God, we have been given some pretty awesome promises. God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God promises to prosper us, and offers us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God tells us as God told Paul in a dream, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you” (Acts 18:9-10). God even promises blessings to those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, those who hunger for righteousness, those who are merciful, those who are pure in heart, or those who strive for peace. Theirs, God says, will be the kingdom of heaven.

Do we believe these promises? Do we live our lives as if we have already received these promises? Are we actively seeking out these and other promises from God?

If we are, then I am quite sure that we, too, will be happy;
If we are, then we, too, will be content;
If we are, then we, too, will live in peace, for we are all children of God.

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