Let’s be Toddlers Again?

A Reflection for February 20, 2026, by Pastor Joy Fishler

Lectionary reading for 02/20/2026:  Psalm 51; Jonah 4:1-11; Romans 1:8-17

Selected passage for reflection: Matthew 18:1-5

Read 

Matthew 18:1-5

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Reflect

One day, you are driving your toddler around, navigating traffic and handing out snacks to the seat behind you so they can sit in the passenger seat, somewhat horrified that you get to teach your teenager to drive. Now, I love a good-spirited, sassy teenager, but I don’t love teaching them to drive all that much. How does this sweet toddler go from singing in that sweet baby voice in the car to telling you, “I KNOW, MOM! YOU ARE STRESSING ME OUT,” after they almost kill you while driving? Just like that, they know everything.

Guess what. We are the same. We learn some things, grow, change, make mistakes, grow some more, and stake our claim on what we know we are right about. Curiosity vanishes, replaced by certainty. We do this in our everyday lives. We pick our political party and declare everyone else as evil. We read our Bibles without proper study and context, and we become self-righteous about every hot topic. Somewhere, we go from trusting toddlers to self-righteous teenagers. I know, that sounds a bit harsh, and this isn’t meant to be a blanket statement over all people, but stick with me. 

Greatness in the kingdom is upside-down. You don’t climb into the Kingdom, you enter it low.

“Become like little children” isn’t about childishness. It’s about dependence, trust, curiosity, humility, and a lack of all self-righteousness. We won’t enter the kingdom of God by our status or by our long list of things we've gotten right. In the ancient world, children had no status. So His words here are significant. We’ve become very good at having answers. We’ve become very good at defending our side. We’ve even become really good at quoting verses. But toddlers don’t defend their position. They depend on their parents. And Jesus says the Kingdom belongs to people like that. Not the loudest. Not the most informed. Not the most certain. The most humble. It’s okay to know things, but remember not to lose that precious sense of curiosity, because being curious is being humble. 

Respond 

It’s so easy to point to people in our lives and think, “you just described my ______ (fill in the blank). Today’s verse isn’t about other people, it’s about us. It’s about me. It’s about you. If you have any sense of conviction, step 1 is go to Jesus with it. Repent. Sit in His presence and be transformed by the Spirit of the living God. Make room for correction and connection with Jesus. We can’t be transformed if we don’t stay and camp out in His presence.  

Rest 

Jesus, we need you. We need you in our lives. We need you in our church communities, in our families, and in our nation. I confess that I don’t have all the answers, but you do. I confess that I sometimes respond and behave as if I do have all the answers, and I bring that before you now. Please forgive me. Help me to be curious, humble, and a light in this world. Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for choosing to give up your life and dying upon that cross for us. Thank you that you rose again and offer us a new life, a new way to live, and a new way to love. Help us be childlike in all ways. In Jesus Name, amen. 

About the Author 

Joy Fishler is an Ordained Minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church. She currently resides in the Sacramento area with her family and serves as the Pastor of Adult Ministry at Life Community Church. She loves Jesus, loves people, and absolutely loves raising her teenage girls. She is passionate about preaching and leading people to the heart of the Father. She truly believes that there is nothing better than Jesus, and following Him is the only life worth living. @joyfullyunfilteredandstuff