For 20 years I commuted to a job in New York City. I loved my career, but often worked long, tiring days that sapped my joy. I looked forward to vacations and the opportunity to exchange my work schedule for times of play.


For little children, their play is their work. Their joy overflows as they develop new skills, refine their dexterity, and build up coordination. They clap in delight when they achieve new milestones in learning colors, shapes, letters, or numbers. Most of all, they rejoice in their relationships with us. And that touches our hearts, too.


As we grow into adults, we seem to lose those free displays of joy. Our prayers may lack the elation they had when we were young. We moderate our delight in the name of maturity. Our service for the Lord can appear to be a burden. But God tells us to delight in Him, inviting us to worship Him with gladness and shout for joy because we know His Son, Jesus.

Perhaps this is one area where we need to be the students and allow children to be our teachers!