SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD
When my youngest daughter, Miclain, was four years old, I wondered what she would say if I asked her an adult-sized question because I had been advised not to talk down to my children, so I looked at my cute little four-year-old who kicked her legs back and forth, swinging and singing in unison. Her trusty all-white companion, Zoe, wagging her fluffy tail and barking happily while running round and round our backyard swing set.
“Miclain?”
Pausing her song, but still maintaining her momentum, she answered: “Yes, Daddy.”
“Miclain, what do you think the world would look like if we were all the same?”
A giggle bubbled out of her lips, and her tiny white teeth shone in the sunlight.
“Miclain, what’s so funny?”
“Daddy, if we were all the same, we wouldn’t be able to see anything.”
She lost me.
“Why wouldn’t we be able to see anything, Miclain?”
“Because, Daddy, if we were all the same, the world would look like Zoe playing in the snow. When Zoe plays in the snow,” she explained, “everything is white, and you can’t see where she is because she is all white too.”
The world went mute as I floundered helplessly in the deep end; Earth was bumped off its axis from this paradigm shift. How was my four-year-old wiser than I? The image was so vivid in her mind that it was no challenge for her to explain her thoughts: Our all-white dog playing in an all-white world. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to see her.
Our differences allow us to see one another.
I reclined on the grass like one of Socrates’ students sitting at his feet. “Miclain?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“If we were all the same, and the world looked like Zoe playing in the snow, would you like to live in a world like that?”
She crinkled her forehead and the swing lost its momentum. “Oh, no! Daddy, that would be boring!”
“Why do you think it would be boring?”
“Different colours make me happy, Daddy. No one would want the world to be all one colour.”
Of course, she was right; even people who say they wish we were all the same don’t realize how unhappy they would be in a world like that. Jesus did not design the world that way. Every one of us, with all our shades of individuality, is a descendent of a single pair, Adam and Eve. Our Saviour designed us to live in harmony with His prayer that we would be one just as He and His Father are one (John 17:22), and here is the beauty about this oneness—this unity: it does not mean uniformity. Christ and His Father are two distinct persons, held together in perfect unity with the Holy Spirit by the bond of their identity: “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
“The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. In mind, in personality, in character, they are one, but not in person…Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ and of His power to take away sin” (MS 111, 1903).
It is sin that moves us to insist on having things our own way, yet it is love, the love of Christ that makes us see the world through the eyes of a child.
I want to thank you for supporting It Is Written Canada in our efforts to broadcast the perfect unity, which only the LORD of love can bring to a world ripped apart by sin and self-centeredness.
~ Mike Lemon
Upcoming Episodes
July 4: What does it mean to be a Christian?
Students at Fountainview Academy share their experiences of what it means to be a Christian.
July 11: Make a Difference
Students at Fountainview Academy share their stories of how they try to make a difference in people’s lives.
July 18 and 25: Healing for Your Mind, Body and Spirit – Part 1&2
Pastor Mike and René had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Nadine Plummer, ND, on her conversion and how she is helping people to experience wholistic health and healing.
Ministry in Action
Take a look at our new weekly short, inspiring messages called “Daily Living by Every Word of God.” We would like to ask you to please share each new episode with a friend or family member.
If you haven’t had a chance, please check out the latest programs on: our webpage, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and our new podcasts.
Prayer in Action
Please, pray for a resolution to all the strife that is ripping our world apart. Pray that we will learn to love one another as Christ loved us and be filled with the Holy Spirit so God’s love may shine through us.
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
This Month’s Offer – GETTING TO KNOW JESUS
From the manger in Bethlehem to the cross in Jerusalem, Yancey presents Jesus as one who generates questions as well as answers, an exhilarating Jesus who wants to radically transform your life and stretch your faith. Getting to Know Jesus engages your heart, your mind, your emotions, and your senses, preparing you for a new, life-changing encounter with the real Jesus described in the Gospels.
Health Nugget
You need water to survive. In fact, you would perish if you went without water for three days. Your body is made up of at least 60% water. Pure water is vital for your existence. It is one of Heaven’s finest blessings; God created it to quench your thirst. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work effectively. Drunk freely, water promotes health. It flushes out toxins, keeps your body temperature normal, lubricates and cushions your joints, boosts your immune system, produces healthy skin and even improves your mood.
HONEY ALMOND GRANOLA
Ingredients:
● 1 cup whole almonds, divided
● 3 cups old fashioned oats
● 1/2 teaspoon salt
● 1/4 cup coconut sugar
● 1/4 cup honey
● 3 tablespoons oil
● 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
● 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a food processor or blender, pulse half of the almonds until they are very finely chopped. Pour them into a large bowl. Chop the other half of the almonds coarsely and pour them into the same bowl.
Pour the oats, salt, and coconut sugar into the bowl with the almonds. Stir to combine.
In a small microwaveable bowl, combine honey and oil, and heat for 40 seconds. Stir to dissolve the oil. Add the vanilla and almond extract.
Pour the honey mixture over the oats. Stir to coat evenly.
Pour the oat mixture evenly onto a Silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet (helpful if it has sides).
Bake for 5 minutes. Stir and spread back to an even layer. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
Place the granola onto wax paper to cool. Spread it out into a thin layer – about 1/2 inch thick.
After it cools completely, break the granola into clusters and store in an airtight container.