Monday, August 4
- Scripture: Matthew 18:3 – “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”
- Reflection: If you spend any time with young ones, you see the world with new wonder and curiosity. You ask questions. You pause and examine each element of life, because everything has the capacity to surprise and instruct. You slow down. You turn to others, wondering and connecting, asking for information and guidance.
This scripture reminds us of the honesty, trust and playfulness that children embody. Jesus calls us to cultivate a childlike spirit—marked by wonder, openness, and the ability to delight in simple joys. By reconnecting with this childlike mindset, we can find freedom in playfulness and deeper connection with the divine. - Spiritual Practice Prompt: Spend time with children or engage in a childlike activity. Begin by letting your senses fill with messages. Stop and spend a few moments experiencing the world all around you. If necessary, begin with the ground beneath your feet. See the patterns, feel the textures, listen to the sounds, sniff the air, stick out your tongue to taste test the world! Allow yourself to feel and know the world through young eyes, with curiosity and joy.
Song:
- “We Are Young” by Fun: https://youtu.be/Sv6dMFF_yts?si=VXzn36_UMar7NUrP
We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.— Walt Disney
Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.— e. e. cummings
Children see magic because they look for it. ― Christopher Moore
If I see anything vital around me, it is precisely that spirit of adventure, which seems indestructible and is akin to curiosity. — Marie Curie
August 4 Devotional