Got Hope? "The Heart of Restoration"
There are few things in this world more wretched, disgusting, or filthy Than a two year old child. They have filthy mouths, filthy hands, filthy feet. The have terrible hygiene, no manners, unfiltered or undeveloped communication skills. They are self centered, moody, and display no self control.
However, we adore them. They are sweet, cute, loving, and capture our hearts. Somehow we can overlook they oblivious flaws and claim them a beloved children.
This love for our children grows as they age. They become mature and cleaner. We celebrate the days that they can care for their personal hygiene, when they become self aware, when they can thrive on their own. We really celebrate the day they have children of their own.
I look at children and see how God sees me. Paul said it this way....
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,"
Romans 8:14-16