“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put an end to childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

oh Paul,
but that is the problem
stop your rambling mind 
and look back at the children
get down on their level 
sit and observe them for a moment
for we can learn from them

as an adult, I speak as an adult
worried about what others think
hoping I sound intelligent and wise
focusing on proper grammar

as an adult, I think like an adult
overthinking every possible outcome
seeing things only through my own lens
staying inside the box

as an adult, I reason like an adult
making sure all decisions are logical
rational and sound judgment will
ensure my choices are accurate

look to the children
they are closer to the image of God
it hasn’t been buried under
years of criticism
and adult influence
yet

when children talk, they speak openly and don’t care about what others think
they want to share their thoughts with everyone
and they listen 
when children think, they ask questions to understand how they fit into the world
they are open to the ideas of others
and creativity
when children reason, they consider multiple perspectives
and nothing needs to make logical sense
it just needs to make them happy

Jesus understood
he said, “let the little children come to me
and do not hinder them
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them”
let the children teach us
learn from them 
and love them