The other day, while my almost 4-year-old son was taking a nap, my wife and I were taking an hour or so to watch a Netflix episode of a series that is strangely theological (long story, not 100% relevant) and just a little captivating. And to be honest, it's Stephen King-like content was already starting to creep me out a little.

And then it happened. I looked at my cell phone news feed and I saw this headline: "Illinois Governor Shuts Down All Restaurants and Bars to Help Stem the Coronavirus." I turned to Meredith and said something I can't repeat verbatim, which ended with "...This is serious."

We both took a moment to daydream in our surprise and shock. My son awoke from his nap, and I told him I had to stop by the church to pick up a few items for my sermon prep. As luck would have it, he said he "had to go with me." (I love those moments.) So, as we entered the church, and then my office, I had a moment of true contrast between what is happening in the world, and what was happening in my heart (yes, they are often at odds!). As I stood there, gathering my books and papers, along with my thoughts, fears and hopes...I looked over to my son, who had grabbed a set of Mardi Gras beads given to each of my staff by a staff member from Louisiana. And the pure joy and silliness and hope on his face changed the moment from "What is this world coming to"...to..."This is how we overcome."

This is how we overcome, says Jesus, you might say, as he welcomes the children in places like Matthew 19:14 and says "Let the little children come to me." Jesus doesn't just say that just because kids are innocent and not yet "corrupted" by the complexities of adulthood and sin. My guess is Jesus says that because our sense of hope and strength in tough times come not only from "growing up" but from "reaching back" - to the faith and the joy of children, who often comprehend only what is important: love makes the world go around.

My prayer is to capture this moment, more often than not, when I move too far into fear and stray too far from hope. Who can bring us back? Jesus...and the smile of a child.

Questions to ponder:

What brings you hope in times of challenge in the world?

How is the "child in you" brought to the surface in times of hope?