Thought for Wednesday, April 11th

April 11, 2012

A Series of Spiritual Ponderings

With Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn

This here series may seem a bit peculiar to some of ya’ll folks: but then life itself can be a tad bit peculiar some of the time.  Over the next few days the writer of these here thoughts has decided to take a gander at some spiritual insights from the perspective of Tom and Huck, a couple of characters from Mr. Mark Twains novels.

Next

‘The Truth’

About Childlike Faith and Ambition

When I was a child, I spake 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 through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

- 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Mark 10:15

Quote of the Day

“When I was a boy, there was but one permanent ambition among my comrades in our village on the west bank of the Mississippi River.  That was, to be a steamboatman.  We had transient ambitions of other sorts, but there were only transient.  When the circus came and went, it left us all burning to become clowns; the first minstrel show that came to our section left us all suffering to try that kind of life; now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.  These ambitions faded out, each in its turn; but the ambition to be a steamboatman always remained.” – Mark Twain

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Huck – Them there verses you picked today done got me totally horn swaggled and confused.

Tom – Well now don’t that just beat all ya ever seen or heard.

Huck – Now Tom, don’t ya go makin’ like your so almighty special, cause I be a reckonin’ you aint’ got the twixt of ‘em sorted out in that there head of your’n yet or you’d be a tellin’ me what they mean.

Tom shakes his head, slaps himself on the top of his head and begins to speak:

Huck, I be a thinkin’ that what has got you a might bit mixed up is that that there first verse says to grow up and then the second one says stay like a child.

Huck – We’ll I’ll be if you didn’t hit that one right between the eyes: so are you gonna tell me what this is all about or just leave me to wonderin’ for a spell.

Tom – I reckon I best explain it to ya, so you don’t go and get your brain all twisted into knots and maybe hurt yourself.

Huck – So what does it mean then?

Tom – Here’s the rub of it all Huck – God wants us to grow up some and be like responsible and all that there kinda stuff, but He also wants us to stay child-like in our innocence and our ways of thinkin’ ‘bout how we accept what He says and do what He wants us too.

Huck -  So let me see if I get this: God wants us to be growed up kids.

Tom – That sounds pretty much like the idea to me.

Huck – I’m not sure I totally understand it, but if’n you say it’s right – then it must be right.

Tom – Well I do say so.  It is sometimes easier to say than it is to do but guess that’s what makes living for God more interestin’ and exciting.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are inspiring and I delight in the joy of getting to be your child.  Thank you for your patience, gentleness and correction when it’s needed.  Help me to stay child-like enough to always be pure in faith and spirit – while being mature enough to grow spiritually and be more effective for you.

“The proverb says that providence protects children and idiots.  This is really true.  I know because I have tested it.”

– Mark Twain

“I’m forgiven, because you were forsaken;

I’m accepted, you were condemned:

I’m alive and well, your spirit is within me,

Because you died and rose again.

Amazing love, How can it be

That you my King would die for me?

Amazing love, I know it’s true:

And it’s my joy to honor you,

In all I do, let me honor you. “

-  Lyrics from ‘Amazing Love’ by Billy James Foote