The two characteristics of the child that are particularly helpful to be in our Christian lives are their humility and their essentiality. Let me begin by discussing humility. The very young child absorbs and digests tremendous amounts of information every day. It is easy to become jaded and cynical, even in the church. But humility is one of the great Christian virtues, and one we can learn from observing the children in our lives.
Children are humble by nature, that is, they have very little power over their own lives.
This may be why children are so fascinated by power. Children need to know that violence and domination represent only one kind of power. I often discuss with my children the difference between physical power and spiritual power. I even tell them that Jesus is the most powerful because his love is the greatest and that love is far more powerful than hitting or kicking. But, like all parents, I used to wonder if the message was sinking in.