Of Such is the Kingdom of God

Last week Bryson got into a lighthearted wrestling match with the kids.  They were having an absolute blast, and our older two were giggling and squealing with delight as they roughhoused with their daddy.

And then suddenly, Taylor decided to take it upon himself to single-handedly win the match.  Leaping with all his might, he landed with both knees onto Bryson's back at full force.

Suffice it to say, the fun quickly ended.

Bryson was in a lot of pain, but with the aid of an electric heating pad and copious amounts of Ibuprofen he was able to get around marginally well by evening.

That night, as we gathered our little brood together for family prayer, it was Reilly's turn to be voice.  With all of her natural compassion and concern, she gently asked Heavenly Father to help her daddy's back feel better.  After closing the prayer, she came over to Bryson and gave him a big hug.  She smiled at him sweetly and leaning in closely asked, "Does it feel better?"

To which, Bryson honestly replied, "A little bit."
She glowed back at him and danced off into the other room.

Bryson turned to me and remarked, "Oh to have the faith of a child!"

Reilly fully expected that Heavenly Father would answer her prayer.  There wasn't a single doubt in her mind.  While sometimes-- most times-- our prayers are not answered instantaneously with our preferred desirable outcome, there is certainly a lesson to be learned.

The Savior himself taught:

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.  (Mark 10:14-15)

We must remember that our Father in Heaven is our literal father.  He loves us perfectly, as His little children.  He will never let us down, for he knows our story from beginning to end.  He is preparing our way, that we might learn the lessons that we need to experience for ourselves.  Step by step, He is ever watchful.

And He does answer our prayers.  Of that I am certain.

So in those times of darkness and despair, when we feel that we have been forsaken-- perhaps those are the moments we should strive even more fervently to return to the faith we possessed as a little child.

The pure, innocent trust placed in a loving Father.  

It is a beautiful thing.