This poem, I feel, captures the innocence of childhood and is a good reminder to look backward to remember those times when simple joys spoke to you. Maybe it’s the sunlight on a butterflies wings or someone saying hello to you. Just the simple joys. We’ve gotten so far away from simplicity in our culture, these days, that it’s hard to remember how beautiful that is–just the simple joy of being alive.

Today’s headlines are filled with injustices done to children, women, and well really anyone, We’re seeing over and over, man’s inhumanity to man, and it’s heartbreaking. Yet, as we see these headlines constantly, it’s not that hard to become inured to them, and to think, oh yeah, there’s another school shooting. Well, oh yeah, there’s another murder over there. But, in reality, we need to be tender-hearted and to deeply feel, as children do.

I think this is what as a culture we need, and as individuals we definitely need to pull the joy of life to counter the horrendous things that are going on, so that we can live with sanity, dignity, joy, and  purpose. And that we will not be discouraged and fearful, and down-trodden by the world around us, that we will lift other people by our very innocent childlikeness.

But Jesus said, “Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 19:14 (KJV).
©Janalyn Voigt