Becoming Like a Little Child

In Matthew 18, Jesus says, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health, “...the author has often remembered our Master’s love for little children, and understood how truly such as they belong to the heavenly kingdom. … Children are more tractable than adults, and learn more readily to love the simple verities that will make them happy and good. Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right.” (page 130)

There is a wonderful book mentioned during Roundtables titled “By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them,” sold by Longyear Museum. It is filled with testimonies from children who are doing their own healing work using Mary Baker Eddy’s books, which were published in periodicals during her time. We have posted some of these testimonies from the 1889-1922 Christian Science periodicals on the children’s website. They are pure and wonderful examples of students of this Science.

The Plainfield Weekly Lessons are very instructive about the qualities we need to grow Spirit-ward, including those found in children. The challenge is maintaining a childlike mindset every day when confronted with worldly views.

The more I am here, the more I see why Christ Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy loved little children, who naturally love and trust God. I understand more clearly how to become like the children they speak about through the teachings and healing work accomplished here. Healing that brings you closer to God and is reformative, not just for the sake of having a healing of a problem, but to learn more about the Kingdom of God. I see that it is not a matter of human effort to try to change yourself through personal efficiency. It does require discipline, obedience to God’s precepts, and living them daily. This has helped replace an intellectual approach to the Bible and Science and Health; it has made me more meek, allowed me to love God and His creation better, and made me feel closer to our Father, Mother God. It is the Pearl of Great Price.