A library I frequented years ago recently advertised an interesting program that was basically a preschool activity time for adults. Childish supplies such as finger paint, blocks, and Play-Doh were offered for grown ups at this drop-in event advertised as a brief reprieve from the concerns of adulthood. The premise was to provide for people a space to get back in touch with their inner child. Students studying for finals were invited to use the space for a study or snack break with typical toddler fare: juice boxes and graham crackers. One phrase in the description read “revisit the simple joys of preschool.”

The advertisement for this event threw me back a couple of decades to when, as a young preacher’s wife, I hosted a group of college girls in our home for a devotional. The message I presented that night focused on lessons taught in children’s songs we would do well to remember as we grow. For instance, becoming an adult does not diminish the wisdom of heeding the warning of the song, “Oh Be Careful, Little Eyes.” Do you recall the lyrics? Different parts of the body are instructed to be cautious in the activities they participate in because the “Father up above is looking down in love.” So, our eyes are to be careful what they see, ears what they hear, mouth what it says, hands what they do, feet where they go, heart whom it trusts, and mind what it thinks. The song is in some ways a simpler version of the challenge in Ephesians 6:10-18 that details clothing ourselves with the armor of God to withstand Satan’s plans. 

How much easier life would be if we could remain in the carefree days of childhood! Children are meant to be loved and cared for. Childhood is a time of vulnerability and innocence. It is also a time of trust: trusting that those in whose care children reside will have their best interests at heart. There is a powerlessness in this season of life when someone else is making choices and decisions for you and on your behalf. 

Jesus opens our eyes to the advantage of returning to a defenseless state like that of a child. In Matthew 18:3, the disciples ask Jesus a question to settle a dispute over their own levels of greatness. His answer is to point his disciples to submit in humility to dependence on God instead of self. This is what he means when he says, “unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (NASB). This is an important verse to recall when we face troubles and trials in life. We would do well to remember that we cannot, and are not expected to, control all of our circumstances. 

Let us return to preschool for another life lesson. This time, we will revisit a children’s book by Michael Rosen entitled, “We’re Going On a Bear Hunt.” Five children set out to hunt a bear, encountering multiple obstacles such as tall grass, a river, mud, a forest, and a snowstorm. The children repeatedly chant throughout the story about their intention to hunt a bear. As they face each obstacle they repeat the refrain, “We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!”

We encounter so many obstacles throughout our lives. Wouldn’t they be easier to face walking hand in hand with God? Sometimes we may feel like we are crossing the churning waters of an angry ocean in the midst of a mighty hurricane on a tiny dinghy. God does not promise to remove us from such harrowing journeys, but he will see us through. 

Adopt the attitude of a small child. Rely on our heavenly Father. Reaching up to take hold of his hand, you can let him guide you through the storm. As the Psalmist says, we can find rest in God, “our fortress” (Ps. 62:1-2, NIV), to get us through the things we can’t go over, under, or around.