Fearless Faith

My kids have a lot to teach me about faith. My youngest in particular is fearless in his faith. He will throw him off the couch, stairs, etc. without hesitation if Dad is there to catch him. His confidence is un-wavering, and while that is sometimes scary- I better be there ready to catch him every time, it is refreshing to see him so trusting.

I was watching a Mickey and the Beanstalk with him the other week and, for those of you haven’t seen it, it opens with a duck (Donald?) telling his companion a cricket (Jimeny?) about fairy tales. As he recounts each tale; with the disclaimer that they are just figamintations of the imagination, the cricket exclaims, “I believe it!” Again I was struck with how faith comes so easily kids.

I think that when we ascribe the faith of a child to their naivety we do them and ourselves a disservice. I’m not saying that kids aren’t naïve; rather what I am saying is that their faith springs from something else. Life hasn’t disappointed them, they haven’t been let down so that’s part of it, but there is something more too. Little kids have very little self consciousness; they don’t weigh out how a particular act will make them appear in the eyes of their peers. Sure, they understand when they are acting goofy they can get a laugh or sad and can get some sympathy, but they don’t do “cool”. That is to say, coolness isn’t a motivating factor in their decision making process and as such has no impact on their faith. That is why they give hugs and kisses freely now, but don’t try for much more than a hi-five when you go to drop them off at their friends as teenagers.

To bring all this stream of consciousness back around: I think there is much to be learned from kids in regards to faith. As a Dad, I will try to take more advantage of the little lessons my kids teach me, and do everything I can foster that faith beyond their childhood years and into their adult lives.