"Become As A Child!"

Oh that I were a child once more! And could see the world again!
A fresh perspective untarnished! God's works without an end!

Looking in awe and amazement! New creations on display!
Discovering and learning for the first time! A whole new life everyday!

Watching miracles unfolding! Right there before my eyes!
Never a detail missed! The enlightening of my mind!

Conquering countless challenges! Without fear or disbelief!
Acting on quiet promptings! Standing upon my feet!

Listening much more closely! Seeing with more intent!
Observing movement, and smelling! The feelings of much content!

Grasping every moment! With colors clear and bright!
Studying new beginnings! Preparing to take to flight!

Rejoicing in the small moments! Victories one by one!
Achieving additional meaning! A purpose with the Son!

Forgiving without resentment! Unconditional love to show!
In a world that has forgotten! The glow within the soul!

Oh that I were a child again! Pure, and sweet, and dear!
Molded by the Spirit! The reason for which I am here!

POET'S COMMENTS

I look upon my grandchildren in their first few years, and become enamored with the purity and innocence that I am witnessing. I watch them grow from infants, to toddlers, to little boys and little girls!

These small ones so precious, exhibit an excitement for life and an insatiable desire to learn. They observe, watch, examine, reflect, and process all the stimulus that occurs around them. Like little sponges they absorb what we put in front of them. Their senses are magnified, as each day presents new adventures! Their bodies develop and they can walk, run, and climb. Their language moves from sounds, to words, to sentences. Their minds ponder, begin to recognize, reason, and express emotions.

They believe and accept without question that we will guide and direct them to safety and security. They trust us. They love us without conditions. They believe in us, their trusted guardians!

Two lessons are suggested in this poem. One is found in the scriptures:

". . . Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4)

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)

We are taught here to put away pride, and become as a child. To become as a child is to be teachable, to be humble, to be submissive to a loving Father in Heaven.

The second lesson to be learned in the poem is to "never lose the enthusiasm to learn, to grow, and to progress!" There are still so many wonderful things to see, to feel, and to experience; no matter what our age!

Life is not over with old age, nor even death! Life continues! There is so much to look forward to here on earth, and after! We must understand and view life as eternal, and not temporary. To become as a child is to see life, as if for the first time everyday; to be excited for the new adventure ahead; to feel that each day is a new beginning; a new opportunity to learn and grow!

We come into this life pure and unblemished, and should leave it pure and unblemished; but also, more enlightened, more improved, nearer to perfection, closer to exaltation, closer to our God!