Childlikeness: Embracing Joy, Humility, and Surrender (S2 E9)

The Normal Christian Life

In this episode of The Normal Christian Life, Father Michael Trummer is joined by Miriam Johl and Mary Bielski to explore the theme of spiritual childhood and the profound importance of childlikeness in the spiritual life. Through personal anecdotes, scriptural insights, and heartfelt discussions, the team delves into the distinctive aspects of being childlike, such as joy, surrender, and playfulness. They reflect on the balance between childlike faith and mature responsibility, the power of joy and humor, and the significance of trust and surrender to God. This episode encourages listeners to embrace a childlike disposition, find joy in God, and foster a joyful, playful, and trusting relationship with the Heavenly Father. 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:32 The Importance of Spiritual Childhood 01:28 Childlike vs. Childish 02:57 Humility and Lowly Status in Spirituality 04:06 Aging and Childlikeness 06:01 Balancing Responsibilities and Joy 08:09 Trust and Worry in Spiritual Life 09:40 Playfulness in Saints' Lives 10:17 Simplicity and Humility 27:45 Joy and Expressed Faith 35:53 Unexpected Joy and Setting the Tone 36:40 Expressing Gratitude and Vulnerability 38:17 Creating and Sharing Joy 40:23 The Power of Humor and Joy 42:12 Cultivating Joy and Trust in God 47:13 Surrendering to God's Plan 51:50 Childlike Trust and Joy in Prayer 01:03:01 Concluding Thoughts and Prayer