Lines Written by a Bear of Very Little Brain

 

On Monday, when the sun is hot

I wonder to myself a lot:

"Now is it true, or is it not,

That what is which and which is what?"

 

On Tuesday, when it hails and snows,

The feeling on me grows and grows

That hardly anybody knows

If those are these or these are those.

 

On Wednesday, when the sky is blue,

And I have nothing else to do,

I sometimes wonder if it's true

That who is what and what is who.

 

A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh (New York: E.P. Dutton and Co., Inc.) 1961. Page 100.

 

The capacity of Winnie-the-Pooh to wonder, to ponder and to think suggests that perhaps he is not a bear "of very little brain" after all.

 

This reminds us of one of the truly beautiful moments in the life of Jesus:

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10: 13-16). (ESV).

This short passage assures us of the love of God for children. Moreover, it instructs us to receive the kingdom of God like a child.

 

This is a very good thing to remember, the next time we are struggling with difficult questions about the ways of God. Shall we read weighty books about church doctrine to find all our answers? Shall we discuss and debate endlessly about ethical issues? Shall we review our lists of accomplishments and start to feel exceedingly pleased with ourselves?

 

Perhaps we should instead receive the kingdom of God like a child, not just hoping, but experiencing hope with joy; not just praying, but experiencing blessing even as we ask for it; not just worshipping, but reaching toward heaven with our hearts, minds, souls and strength:

My heart is steadfast, O God!

I will sing and make melody

With all my being!

Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn!

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises of you among the nations.

For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

(Psalm 108: 1-4).

Almighty God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will help us to sing praise even if it seems impossible through our own strength. "For all things are possible with God." (Mark 10: 27).

 

In faith and fellowship,