Top Ten Lessons Learned from a One-year-old

“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:1-3

Our precious grandson celebrated his birthday!  One year ago, life as we knew it changed drastically.  He came in and turned us upside down in the best of ways.  He is God’s living breathing visual aid.  Eli has taught me more in one year than I could’ve learned in ten without him.

Here are my Top Ten lessons along with adorable pictures of Eli taken by his momma.

Cry loud and often.  When you are in need, in pain, or just bored, cry out until God comes to your rescue.  Our Lord wants us to depend on Him.  Jesus says, “Ask (beg) for anything in my name and I will do it.”  John 14:14

 

Live your life without a care in the world.  Run as fast as you can, climb the highest obstacles, and touch everything.  Explore your world expecting God to provide your safety.  1 John 4:18  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear…

It’s okay to act like a baby.  Be silly, laugh, giggle, put food on your head, play peek-a-boo, sing without music, dance to your own beat, cheer for yourself, care less about how you look or what you wear.  Life is one big adventure, enjoy it.   John 10:10  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

Never ever give up.  If you fail the first time, try again and again and again until the task is mastered.  Repetition is paramount.  Just as mom and dad keep picking up those toys you love to drop, God will patiently give you chance after chance to get it right.  Philippians 1:6 …being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.

 

 

The simple things in life are best.  Boxes are better than toys.  Cabinet doors, pots and pans, mom’s glasses, straws and shopping bags entertain longer than electronic toys.  Rocks taste as good as candy.  Daddy’s lullabies are as grand as opera.  Psalm 116:6  The LORD protects the simplehearted.

 

Live contented.  The size, décor, or expense of your home is immaterial to happiness.  A baby steps in mud puddles regardless of the expense of his shoes.  Never own anything that can’t be smeared with ketchup.  Let it all go and live!  1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Trust Love.  There’s security in love.  Without love a baby wouldn’t cuddle into your arms to fall asleep, take your finger to pull you along for a walk, run into your outstretched arms, or squeeze your neck while slobbering kisses over your face.   One must know love to give love.   1 Corinthians 13:2…and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Change is inevitable.  People won’t always cheer when you poop, laugh as they change your diapers, and sing as they clean up your spills.  Growing up means change, taking responsibility.  1 Peter 2:2  Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

The sin nature is a wicked force.  No baby has to be taught how to have a tantrum, take what doesn’t belong to him, or run from the truth.  It comes naturally and grows with each new day.  Every baby needs Jesus.  John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

 

 

 

There’s a grand plan in the works.  Babies naturally go through developmental stages.  One level leads to another, for countless generations it’s been the same.  Yet there can always be the exception that stands out…be special.  Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Happy birthday Eli!