How Do Kids Show Us The Heart of God?
Children have an extraordinary way of revealing the heart of God in ways that are simple yet deeply profound. Their lives radiate with the kind of love, joy, and faith that seem unclouded by the complexities and cynicism of adulthood. It’s no wonder that Jesus welcomed children with such open arms, even going so far as to use them as examples of the faith required to enter the kingdom of heaven. He declared, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). This wasn’t merely a kind gesture or a passing moment; it was a declaration about the nature of the kingdom itself. Children, in their vulnerability, innocence, and purity, remind us that faith is not a matter of intellectual achievement or moral perfection but of trusting God with a heart that is open, expectant, and full of wonder. Their presence offers us a tangible glimpse of what it means to live in right relationship with God, unhindered by doubt or distraction.
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the profound lessons we can learn from children. Their simple acts of faith and their natural inclination to trust serve as a mirror, reflecting the kind of relationship God longs to have with us. Children don’t complicate their faith—they live it. They leap into the unknown with an assurance that they will be caught, a confidence that God calls us to emulate.
As adults, we often lose sight of this simplicity, bogged down by the weight of our own doubts and fears. Yet every time we pause to truly engage with the children in our lives, we are offered a chance to remember what it means to trust God without reservation. In their trust, their joy, and their unconditional love, children become living parables of the kingdom of heaven, reminding us of the simplicity, beauty, and depth of a life rooted in God’s presence.
One of the most powerful ways children reflect God’s heart is through their unwavering trust. A child’s ability to trust is both instinctive and profound. When a parent reaches out their arms and says, “Jump,” the child doesn’t pause to consider the risks or question the outcome—they simply leap, fully confident that they will be caught. This kind of trust is not a product of overthinking or rational calculation; it is a natural response to the security and love they feel.
Jesus pointed to this trust when He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). The trust of a child is an invitation for us to surrender our need for control and place our lives fully in the hands of a God who is both faithful and good.
For many adults, trust is a learned behavior rather than an instinctive one, often shaped by past experiences of disappointment or betrayal. We tend to approach life with a cautious heart, weighing every decision and trying to minimize risk. This cautiousness can even extend to our relationship with God, where we find ourselves hesitant to fully surrender, fearing what His plans for us might entail. Yet the trust of a child serves as a powerful reminder that faith isn’t about having all the answers or being in control—it’s about knowing the One who does.
Children teach us that trusting God isn’t about understanding every detail of His plan; it’s about resting in His character and His promises. Their example challenges us to release our doubts and fears, to let go of the illusion of control, and to embrace the peace and freedom that come from placing our lives fully in God’s hands.
Another remarkable way children reflect the heart of God is through their joy. A child’s joy is radiant, unfiltered, and often found in the simplest of things—a game of tag, the sound of a favorite song, or the excitement of spotting a rainbow. Their delight in life is infectious and serves as a reminder of the joy God desires for each of us. The psalmist writes, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). Children seem to live as though they are perpetually in God’s presence, unburdened by the stress and worry that so often steal joy from adults. They teach us to approach life with wonder and gratitude, savoring the beauty of each moment as a gift from God.
In contrast, many adults find themselves weighed down by the pressures and demands of life, often too preoccupied to experience true joy. We chase after fleeting sources of happiness, only to find that they leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. But children remind us that joy is not about circumstances—it’s about perspective. It’s about recognizing God’s goodness in the here and now, even in the midst of life’s challenges. Their joy challenges us to slow down, to look for the blessings in our own lives, and to rediscover the simple pleasures that we often overlook. They call us back to the truth that joy is a fruit of the Spirit, cultivated not through striving but through abiding in God’s presence.
Children also reflect God’s creativity in extraordinary ways. Their imaginations know no bounds, transforming ordinary objects into extraordinary adventures. A blanket becomes a superhero cape, a pile of blocks becomes a towering castle, and a crayon-drawn picture holds the power to tell an entire story. This unrestrained creativity mirrors the image of a Creator God who spoke the universe into existence, crafting every star, mountain, and ocean with intentionality and delight. Genesis 1 reminds us that we are made in God’s image, and part of that image includes the ability to create, to dream, and to bring beauty into the world.
As adults, we often lose touch with our creative side, dismissing it as impractical or unimportant. The responsibilities of life and the fear of failure can stifle our imaginations, leaving us to view the world through a lens of limitations rather than possibilities. But when we watch children create, we are reminded that creativity isn’t about perfection—it’s about exploration and expression. It’s about seeing the world through God’s eyes, finding beauty in the unexpected, and being willing to take risks. Children invite us to rekindle that sense of wonder and to embrace the joy of creating, not for the sake of achieving something but for the sheer delight of reflecting the creativity of our Maker.
One of the most humbling ways children reflect God’s heart is through their capacity to forgive. When a child is hurt, their pain is real, but it is often short-lived. They are quick to extend grace, to let go of their hurt, and to restore the relationship. Their forgiveness is not conditional or grudging—it is given freely and completely. This mirrors the heart of a God who forgives us not because we deserve it but because of His great love for us. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Watching children forgive reminds us of the freedom that comes from releasing our hurts and choosing to extend grace.
For adults, forgiveness can be a much more complicated process. We often hold on to grudges, replaying offenses in our minds and allowing bitterness to take root. We convince ourselves that forgiveness must be earned, forgetting that God’s forgiveness toward us is a gift we could never earn. Children teach us that forgiveness is not about fairness—it’s about freedom. In their willingness to forgive, they show us what it means to live in the grace of God, unburdened by the weight of resentment or anger. Their example challenges us to let go of our pride and to choose reconciliation over revenge, reflecting the heart of a God who is always ready to forgive.
Finally, children reveal God’s heart through their love. A child’s love is pure, unguarded, and unconditional. They don’t evaluate a person’s worth based on accomplishments or status—they simply love because love is who they are. This kind of love is a reflection of God’s love for us, which is unchanging and unearned. John writes, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In the unfiltered affection of a child, we catch a glimpse of the way God loves us—with open arms and a heart full of delight.
As adults, our love is often hindered by fear, insecurity, or past hurts. We put up walls to protect ourselves, holding back parts of our hearts to avoid vulnerability. But children remind us that love is meant to be given freely, without reservation. Their love challenges us to love others the way God loves us—with grace, patience, and compassion. They teach us that love is not about what we can get—it’s about what we can give.
Through their trust, joy, creativity, forgiveness, and love, children serve as powerful reminders of the kind of life God calls us to live. They are not just students learning about God from us—they are also teachers, showing us His heart in ways we might otherwise overlook. In their presence, we are invited to see the world through their eyes and to rediscover the beauty of living as children of God. So the next time you find yourself in the presence of a child, pause and reflect. What is God teaching you through their laughter, their wonder, or their simple faith? In these moments, you may find that children are pointing you back to the Father, inviting you to trust, to rejoice, and to love with the unguarded heart of a child.
