Embracing Childlike Faith: Coloring Outside the Lines

Navigating the constant flow of negativity and fear in our news feeds and daily lives can be incredibly challenging, especially today. It’s all too easy to become disheartened and lose sight of the simple truths that once grounded and comforted us.

I often long for something real, something authentic that resonates deeply and reminds me that goodness still exists, even when life feels messy, chaotic, and unpredictable.

During the difficult and uncertain seasons of my life, childlike faith became my anchor. It grounded me and softened my heart. In moments of confusion and doubt—when I wanted to give up on faith altogether, and the weight of the world felt too heavy to bear—this simple yet profound trust provided clarity and comfort.

In those quiet moments, away from social media, I began to reconnect with my childhood imagination and curiosity. I started noticing the little things again: the beauty in nature, the changing seasons, a quiet morning, a kind word, or a moment of unexpected joy. I found myself asking questions and opening up to life’s mysteries instead of feeling the need to have everything figured out.

When Jesus spoke about becoming like little children, He wasn’t telling us to be immature or naïve. He was inviting us to embrace qualities like trust, humility, openness, and a willingness to receive.

Faith doesn’t have to be structured or conventional. It can be as free-spirited as a child’s imagination. It invites us to let go of our desire for control and trust the One who sees every intricate detail of our journey.

Having childlike faith doesn’t mean I never worry, question, or struggle to understand what God is doing. It simply means I’m learning that I don’t have to understand everything to trust. Sometimes, faith is about taking the next step, even when we can’t see the whole path ahead.

In a time marked by fear, division, and uncertainty, I find myself thinking about the next generation and the kind of world they will inherit.

If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that wonder, curiosity, and hope are precious gifts worth holding onto. They can anchor us when life feels uncertain and help us stay open-hearted, even when the world around us feels anything but simple.

So, how can we help the next generation of children navigate the realities they will encounter without losing their natural sense of wonder, curiosity, and hope?

How do we create an environment where they can flourish without carrying the heavy burdens of fear and division?

And most importantly, how can we show them they can navigate a complicated world without letting it harden their hearts?

I don’t have all the answers, but I believe we can begin by creating a world where creativity is not only acknowledged but celebrated—where children and even adults are free to imagine, experiment, and express themselves in their uniqueness without fear of judgment.

We may not be able to shield children from every negative influence or division in the world. Yet we can offer something deeper and more lasting: a foundation built on kindness instead of hatred, compassion rather than judgment, and acceptance instead of conformity.

Children aren’t born with hatred. They come into the world full of wonder, enthusiasm, and a desire to explore. They are trusting and open; they possess qualities many of us gradually lose as we grow older.

This brings to mind an inspiring teaching from Jesus: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”

In context, Jesus was responding to the disciples. In their human minds, they tried to protect Jesus from distractions by preventing people from bringing their children to Him. They may have believed that the children would divert His attention from the profound teachings meant for adults. Yet by embracing children’s innocence and openness, we find a deeper connection to His message.

The truth is, Jesus didn’t view the children’s interruptions as a hindrance. He joyfully welcomed them because of their innocence and purity.

I get that. My two youngest grandchildren burst with energy and inquisitiveness, bringing me immense joy as I watch them discover the world around them. Their excitement is contagious. They find delight in the simplest things, and seeing the world through their eyes reminds me how easily we adults can complicate what children grasp so genuinely.

I can vividly imagine them running toward Jesus with the same eager anticipation and trust they bring to every new experience, their hearts overflowing with innocence and wonder.

Reflecting on a time when my faith felt more rigid and structured, I recognize that I may have reacted like the disciples, believing certain occasions were too sacred or important to be interrupted with my grandchildren’s enthusiasm.

There’s something liberating about embracing childlike faith. It transcends boundaries and opens our eyes to the endless possibilities that lie beyond our current understanding.

I often compare life to a coloring book, where each blank page holds limitless potential.

Imagine a child sitting down with a new coloring book and a box of crayons. They don’t typically worry about whether the sky should be blue or if the grass should be green. They might color a tree purple, a dog orange, or draw a sun using every color in the box. 

And if the crayon slips outside the lines, they keep going. They don’t throw the picture away or assume they’ve ruined everything. They continue to color.

So, let me ask you: What kind of picture will you choose to create? Will you stay within the lines, follow the well-trodden path, or dare to step beyond the boundaries to create something that reflects your true self?

Both choices have their value, as each of us is crafted in the image of God, who cherishes our individuality. Yet often, when we venture beyond our comfort zones and embrace the unknown, we discover more of who we’re truly meant to be.

I encourage you to pick up your crayon.

Don’t be afraid of the blank page.

Don’t worry if your colors don’t look like everyone else’s.

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.

And don’t hesitate to step beyond the lines when you feel inspired.

After all, this is your page to color. You don’t have to create a picture that looks like everyone else’s. Trust the One who gave you the crayons, embrace the colors that make you uniquely you, and allow Him to bring your picture to life in ways you never imagined.

Untapped Talents

We all know the leaves of trees hold a hidden beauty that only reveals itself in the fall, right? 

Still, did you know that in the summer months, leaves produce all of the pigments of autumn, but chlorophyll masks them?

Then once fall arrives, the trees stop producing chlorophyll, revealing a vibrant display of red, orange, and yellow hues, reminding us of God's extraordinary artistry through the lens of nature.

That's not to say the forest isn't beautiful in the summer. The different trees still have leaves of many shapes and sizes, but they mainly blend into the greenery around them. 

As people, we can be like the green leaves, conforming and blending into everyday life. I'm not saying it's always a bad thing to blend in. However, if we get too comfortable, we'll only move within our summer season and miss the vibrant colors hidden within us.

Imagine if Mother Teresa hadn't tapped into her heart of compassion. This brave woman comforted and cared for the poor, the dying, and the unwanted worldwide. 

Not only that, Mother Teresa was one of the first to establish homes for people living with AIDS. She used her talents to bring the "color of hope" into the lives of the hopeless. Yet, many criticized her, and the Catholic Church wasn't even on board until they recognized the scope of her humanity's work.

Suppose Picasso and other talented artists never lifted a brush to touch paint on canvas. The art world many of us enjoy would not exist.

And what if a developer of musical instruments didn't tap into their innovative minds? The God-given gift of music would be lost to the world "would be musicians," left empty and unable to heal and inspire through music.

The list can go on and on of how people used their talents to improve the world. 

I think about my struggles and how I'd dropped out of school before finishing eighth grade because of circumstances beyond my control. Although I eventually attended vocational school to attain my GED (General Educational Development), I've spent much of my life trying to catch up by self-educating. 

Suppose I'd accepted my demise and not tapped into my love of writing. One of my vibrant colors would've remained hidden, but instead, writing has brought me alive. At sixty-four years young, I'm working on my first children's fantasy book, which is expected to be out in the early new year. And even if it impacts just one child, it'll be a success!

We all have different talents and God-given gifts. Yet, all too often—like ivy wrapped around an oak tree—the hurts of this world suffocate us.

I know from experience, and I'm sure many of you can also relate, that when we release those hurts through the power of forgiveness, we tap into the gifts of self-awareness, compassion, and gratitude and, in turn, unlock the hidden talents that have laid dormant, enabling our true colors to shine like a child seeing the world anew. 

Don't you marvel at the simplicity and freedom of children and how coloring books and crayons fascinate them? I certainly do.

I love watching my youngest grandson scribble all over the pages, smashing crayons into the paper, smiling, unafraid to color outside the lines. 

My grandson's freedom of expression is something that I hope he holds on to as he ages. Because (all too often) as we grow up and start conforming to societal expectations, limiting ourselves to the boundaries of normalcy, we tend to prefer the comfort of a tidy picture frame to the freedom of the untapped talent realm. 

But what if coloring outside the lines is the key to unlocking your full potential? 

Jesus dared to color outside the lines set by the religious leaders of His time to bring hope to the silenced and marginalized. He knew the turmoil it would create. Yet he "stirred the pot" anyway. 

Jesus' life serves as a powerful reminder that within each of us lies the potential to bring light and color to the world around us—even in the face of fear and uncertainty. 

Don't allow fear to stand in your way of coloring outside the lines. Step out of your comfort zone. Dare to dream big. Dare to be different. Like the trees in autumn, "Leave no leaf unturned!" Your untapped talents are waiting to be discovered.