“And
a Little Child Shall Lead Them”
Today
in sacrament meeting at church we had our ward Primary program, where all the
children from ages 3-11 performed the speaking and musical numbers for the
remainder of the meeting after the conclusion of the passing of the sacrament.
(Please note the following images are not taken from today's program - they are only visual examples)
As
I watched all of those young children, in a “mostly” organized fashion sing
their songs and speak there little lines and parts (all of which they had
written themselves – with their help of their parents in some cases), I was
impressed with several spiritual lessons.
The
scriptures teach that to inherit the Kingdom of God, “ye must become as a
little child” (Matt. 18:3-4, Mark 10:15, Luke 18:16-17, 3 Nephi 11:37-38). So I thought I would share a few of the
things these little children taught me today.
As
they each performed their parts, I noticed:
·
Some were timid and quiet
·
Some were loud and animated
·
Some were subdued and reserved
·
Some radiated joy and energy
·
They each had different things they were
thankful for
·
They were of different heights, ages,
manner of dress, hair color, etc…
And they each expressed their love for the Lord in their own unique way.
But
no matter their differences, the parents and grandparents watching them ALL visibly
beamed with loving adoration as they performed their parts in the program!
Seen,
but quietly leading and assisting these young children were carefully placed
adult leaders and teachers who helped provide cues, support, and guidance when
a child got confused or temporarily forgot their lines or the words of a song.
I
was somewhat amazed as I watched the fairly large group of little children, at
how the leaders had carefully planned where each child was seated or standing
and how they orchestrated moving them around during the different parts of the
program. It was perfectly performed, but
it was inspired in its organization and planning.
Our
lives are not much different from that of what I witnessed in the program. We all come from different backgrounds, and
are of different shapes, size and appearance.
Some of us are timid and quiet and others are more boisterous and
outspoken. Some have struggles communicating,
while others have the gift to speak and sing their life’s song so others can
hear. In essence we are ALL different,
and it is divinely orchestrated that way.
But
our Heavenly Parents look down upon our imperfect performances, beaming with
hearts full of love and adoration as we strive to do our best to perform our
individual parts in life’s program.
They
know we are spiritually young and inexperienced, so they have taken great care
to organize where we are and how we are placed to better interact and complete
our parts in the events of mortality.
They
have placed experienced leaders, parents, mentors and teachers around us, and I
would go so much as to say even angels, both seen and unseen to guide us and
help us along in times when we forget our part or become overwhelmed by our
part in the performance.
They
know we will perform our parts imperfectly and make mistakes, but they are
overjoyed when we are putting forth our best efforts and doing our part. And while they could send others to perform
the part more perfectly, they let us be involved in the performance to allow US
the experience of participating and feeling their joy, along with our joy as we
do our best.
And
it is all divinely and perfectly organized and overseen with love, joy,
happiness. And they are able to overlook
our imperfect performances, because there was ONE PERFORMER, another Child of our Father who came and
performed HIS part perfectly, not only to show us the way to do it, but also to
compensate for our mistakes with His masterful performance which fills in all
the gaps and is able to lift the entire show to heavenly heights because of His
involvement right along with us.
So
I came away grateful for the lessons these little children taught me today, and
how they lead and show me the way to have more confidence in performing my
imperfect little part in the big show of life.
And these simple concepts helped to more firmly strengthen my testimony
of the fact that “WE” are the Lord’s work and His glory (Moses 1:39), and that
His focus is to bring about “OUR” individual immortality and eternal life… each
and every imperfect one of us!