Nothing but a Child

 I have been noticing more lately that there are little kids everywhere. And I think about what I see as a gloom that hangs over our country. People seem pessimistic about our future. People in the church talk about the evil that surrounds us. People not in church talk about the evil that is represented by “the other side” of our political discussions. Those who are not politically focused still seem oppressed by all the political noise.

But there they are: in Walmart, in the fast food places, in the nicer restaurants, going to and from ball games and hockey games. The little kids are smiling and singing, and they still skip their steps. Is it because of what they don’t know? Or is it that they know something we don’t?

It always reminds me of a song I love. Once I held a newborn while I played that song for the new parents. It is “Nothing but a Child” by Steve Earle. In the song he points out that the wise men of old set out on a long arduous journey to find a miracle to save the world and when they arrived, they found nothing but a child. 

The last verse goes like this:

“Now all around the world, in every little town
Everyday is heard a precious little sound
And every mother kind and every father proud
Looks down in awe to find another chance allowed”

“Another chance allowed.” That’s what every skipping, dancing, singing little one represents. They represent that God still has hope for us. When you get discouraged about our future, I suggest you go to You Tube Music or some other music venue and play Steve Earle’s song.