East Orrington Congregational Church October/November 2024

Pen of Power

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An Article of Faith: A Child in the Orchard

"Truly I tell you, unless yu change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." -- Matthew 18:3

There is something profoundly beautiful about the innocence and curiosity of a child. In the photograph, my grandson is seated quietly in the shade of an orchard, a place filled with life, growth, and the promise of fruit yet to come. His gaze is calm yet inquisitive, as if he is contemplating the world around him. In this moment, we are reminded of the purity of a  child’s heart, unburdened by the complexities and worries that often cloud our adult minds.

This image brings to mind the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 18:3 In these words, we are invited to  consider the qualities of a child: their trust, their openness, and their ability to find joy in the simplest things. A child  does not overthink or question the sun's warmth or the comfort of the shade; they simply bask in it, knowing that it is  there for them.

As adults, our lives are often filled with worries, decisions, and plans. We can get so caught up in the 'what ifs' and the 'what's next' that we lose sight of the simple trust and wonder that a child naturally carries. This photograph is a  powerful reminder that faith, at its core, is about trust. Just as a child trusts their parents, (and Grandparents) for, stability, care, and protection, we are called to trust in God’s love and provision.

The orchard around my grandson speaks of growth, a natural cycle of life that God has designed. The trees, with their branches stretching towards the heavens, do not worry about tomorrow; they simply grow where they are planted. Similarly, God calls us to grow in faith, trusting that He will provide the right conditions for our spiritual fruit to flourish.

We can learn so much from the quiet contemplation of a child in nature. As we go through our daily lives, may we seek to return to this simplicity—this place of trust, wonder, and peace. Let us have faith like a child, knowing that our Father in heaven watches over us, providing for our needs and guiding our steps.

May we find moments to pause, just as my grandson does in this orchard, to breathe in the beauty of God’s creation, to trust in His goodness, and to rest in the knowledge that we are His beloved children.

Pastor Carl