So today I did something that felt odd. I went to watch The Might Pups, the second Paw Patrol movie. God had put it on my heart to watch the movie and I’ll admit, I was unsure at first. It was a little kids movie. To most of my seven-year-olds, Paw Patrol is for babies. Yet here I am, a grown 27-year-old woman going to see this movie alone. I felt so odd.

But I liked it.

I liked the movie and I had a great time. The movie itself was animated very well with some beautiful shots. The writing while made for children was engaging and there was a sincerity to it that held a deeper level of meaning. Also, the little girls in the theater were so excited that this movie focused on their favorite pup. 

I had a great time, but most importantly, I felt like a kid again. 

As Christians we always look at the verse:

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

1 Corinthians 13:11-12 NKJV

And then there is this scripture:

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Mark 10:13-15 NKJV

This scripture is also repeated in Luke (18:15-17) and Matthew (19:13-15). 

I used to question how are we supposed to go to God like a child yet put away childish things. Then I worked with children, and I did things like God told me to do today. I experience and see how a child receives something. They get so excited that they scream when they see what they have, whether it is their favorite pup on screen or a coloring page of their favorite animal. They constantly seek your attention. And sometimes, for a child the best thing to receive isn’t a toy, it’s the presence and attention of someone they hold dear. Again, that knowledge of support means something to them. 

Sometimes as an adult, I focus so much on my independence. On how much can I do alone, or how much I can help or do for another person without needing something in return. But sometimes in doing that, I push away others. I push away God. 

In the Paw Patrol movie, one of the team members felt weak. So that “weak” member decided to go out and prove the opposite. Instead, that one team member’s actions made everything worse. No one said that the team member was weak, but that team member felt weak. 

We are emotional creatures. Our feelings can be big. Just like a child’s. They might blind us to the truth. But instead of running to that comfort item (like food, TV, phone, or a child’s blanket), we can run to God like a child would run to their parent. We can put away the things we are seeking comfort from and receive God’s love and comfort. 

So I hope that in your week you do feel like a child again. That you get so excited about being with God like a child is excited to see their Dad after school or their favorite superhero dog. I hope that you receive God’s love with childish wonder because He loves you and is waiting to give you the biggest bear hug. He is always saying He loves you, His child.