Pudgy Tummies and Tired Eyes? Not Through Childlike Eyes.

“Allow the children to come to me… for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18:16 (NAB)

I think small children see things through a God-like lens, as he would see the world. The childlike see with love and simplicity and purity.  I think there’s a real reason why God says that the childlike are the ones who will inherit the kingdom. 

Yesterday morning I was getting ready to run. In a sleep-deprived daze, I put on my black joggers, long sleeve tee, running shoes, and threw my morning hair back in a big headband. I didn’t feel cute, I didn’t feel beautiful. I’m running mainly because I feel insecure about my 2nd baby postpartum body. 

To be honest, what I see when I look in the mirror is a tired face and pudgy tummy. I know I should see a body that has done a lot of beautiful work growing two babies. Tired eyes from caring for tiny humans who, at the moment, are waking up extremely early.  Soft belly from bearing two babies in the lats 3 years. 

But yesterday, as I was stretching my legs and getting ready to work out, Lucy looked at me and said “You’re a cute mudder (mother).”

I was struck by that comment. Like I said, I didn’t feel cute. But she makes so many similar comments, simple things like, “You’re pretty” or “I like you.” Lucy doesn’t see my insecurities and she doesn’t see my flaws. Rather, she sees her momma who she loves. She sees her momma who loves her and takes care of her, despite the imperfections. 

Is this not how God loves us?

He sees the good and the beautiful in our souls, our bodies. He sees those very things we may even hate about ourselves, whether it’s physical attributes or personality traits, and he says, “Oh yes, I love that about you.” 

I love your independence. 

I love your determination. 

I love your body that has nurtured and borne babies. 

I love your smile, those dimples. 

I love your freckles. 

I love your wrinkles. 

I love your scars and your wounds. 

I love you. 

May we begin to love and see ourselves through childlike eyes, that one day, we too may inherit the kingdom.

For Prayer & Reflection

Set aside 20 minutes. Sit down with Luke 18:15-17 and practice Lectio Divina with this passage.

Consider as part of your Lectio:

• What part of yourself do you most struggle to love?
• Ask God the Father to show you how he sees you. Sit with this question. Allow him to speak to you.

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