Daily Thought for Monday, September 26th

September 26, 2011

The Funnies – A Series

A Look At The Sunday Comics

And How They Might Be Applied To Our Spiritual Lives

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”

1 Corinthians 1:27

“People only see what they are prepared to see.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Comic Six   “Dennis The Menace” by Hank Ketcham

Today’s Application:    Child-likeness has a Place in God’s Economy

“… an’ sometimes there’s no sugar an’ sometimes there’s no root beer.  But there’s always soap!” – Dennis (From ‘Dennis The Menace’ by Hank Ketcham)

Today’s Thought:

“Dear God, No use tryin’ to kid You… You know I done it.”  – Dennis (From ‘Dennis The Menace’ by Hank Ketcham)

Today’s Quote:

“Dear God, I hope things went better for you up there today than they did for me down here!”  – Dennis (From ‘Dennis The Menace’ by Hank Ketcham)

Today’s Question

“How come I always get blamed for everything I do?” – Dennis (From ‘Dennis The Menace’ by Hank Ketcham)

Today’s Bible Verses:            Mark 10:13-15  & Matthew 18:2-6

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body."  –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dennis from the “Dennis the Menace” cartoon strip seems to embody the very essence of inhibition, unabashed freedom, liberty of spirit, and unquestioning innocence and faith that is a child in their most natural state.

Now, least you think I have taken leave of my senses; I recognize that Dennis is not free from the mischievousness and oft misguided exploits that make him a terror to Mr. Wilson: endear him to Martha Wilson and I’m sure cause his parents, Alice and Henry Mitchell no limits of embarrassment and trepidation: yet in all these things he maintains such a pure approach to his life and such a sense of innocence and penitence when he has discovered the error of his ways, the he is charmingly likable.  And of course to his dog Ruff, as well as is cat Hot Dog, his best friend Joey Mc Donald and even his nemesis Margaret Wade: Dennis offers the best of all that is possible for a friend and/or a nemesis to offer.

To illustrate my point, here are a few Dennis-isms that demonstrate what I am implying:

“I didn’t’ fib!  I made a fable, like Aesop an’ those other guys!” - Dennis

“I don’t think a little kid should be punished for somethin’ he learned from a parrot!” - Dennis

“I’m giving you the right answers!  You’re just asking the wrong questions.” - Dennis

“I said I’m hungry enough to eat a horse!  I didn’t say nothin’ about carrots!” - Dennis

“The best thing you can do is get good at being you.” - Dennis

“This is the time I like best… after ya get your parents to sleep!’ – Dennis

(all taken from ‘Dennis the Menace’ by Hank Ketcham)

So then, you might ask, what does this particular Sunday comic have for us that can be applied in a spiritual context?  I’m glad you asked, because I have every intention of telling you.

What this comic reminds us, in a spiritual context, is that we need to remain child-like in our relationship with God.  We need to maintain that err of childish wonderment, that unrestrained purity of acceptance and belief in; and that courageous attitude of spirit that enables us to be willing to undertake any endeavor or opportunity – willing to embrace whatever it brings without analyzing it to death before hand.   And we need to have that meekness of spirit and purity of heart that enables us to recognize our wrongs and apologize and be repentant.

We are to be the Children of God.

“Children are God’s apostles, day by day, sent forth to preach of love, and hope and peace.” – James Russell Lowell

And we need to remember, “No day is so sacred but that the laugh of a little child will make it holier still.” – Robert G. Ingersoll

We may find that we are well beyond the chronological stage of childhood:  but may we always embrace the child-like attributes that please God and make us better Christians.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I be wise and mature enough to embrace my inner child and allow those characteristics of childhood to influence and affect me as I grow and develop spiritually.