By Jeanni Ritchie
Children have a way of seeing the world that adults often forget. They laugh freely, trust deeply, and find wonder in the smallest things—a butterfly on the sidewalk, a splash in a puddle, the sparkle of stars. Jesus Himself pointed us back to this kind of living when He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Living life with a childlike spirit doesn’t mean immaturity. It means choosing joy over cynicism, trust over fear, and curiosity over complacency. Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Children seem to grasp that fullness of joy more naturally—they receive it instead of trying to earn it.
For me, this is why I frequent Chuck E. Cheese with my grandsons a couple of times a week and why I never pass up a chance to step into a candy store. It’s why I’d rather exercise by walking at the zoo than in a gym surrounded by treadmills. And it’s why I can’t pass by a swing without jumping on and pumping my legs until I’m flying high, hair blowing, laughing like a carefree kid. These moments aren’t childish—they’re life-giving. They remind me that God delights in our joy, in our laughter, and in our willingness to embrace the world with wonder.
When we allow ourselves to laugh at simple things, to approach each day with wonder, and to trust God as completely as a child trusts a loving parent, we open the door to happiness that isn’t dependent on circumstances. Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” That cheerful heart comes more easily when we live unburdened by the heaviness we often carry into adulthood.
So maybe the secret to happiness isn’t found in achieving more or controlling everything, but in loosening our grip and living with childlike faith. Dance in the kitchen. Pray with simple honesty. Laugh until your sides ache. Look at the world with fresh eyes. After all, joy is a gift God gives freely—sometimes we just need to receive it the way a child would, with open hands and an open heart.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to see life with the eyes of a child—full of wonder, trust, and joy. Teach me to let go of worry and to embrace laughter, play, and simple pleasures as gifts from You. May my heart stay light, my faith stay strong, and my spirit stay open to the happiness You pour into each day. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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