Akudo Abengowe-Adebayo: The Wonder & Beautiful Innocence of Children

Children are special gifts from God, they make you smile even when you don’t want to, and their ability to forgive is amazing. You can beat, spank or scold a child and he/she still comes crying to you, waiting for you to still console them. They also instantly forgive you without any grudges; imagine doing that to an adult! They would first complain and then narrate what wrong you have done them to other people. Then, they go on to analyse the extent of your offence and then hold a grudge or two before deciding whether to forgive you or not. No wonder Jesus, in the Bible, said that we must have the mind of little children if we ever want to make heaven. Even Kanye West in one of his famous rants said that we should ‘listen to the kids y’all’.
Don’t get me wrong, children can stretch your patience to its very limits and derive great joy in seeing you in distress, but they are such joys to be with.

Let me tell you about my daughter. My daughter is special. I know every mother says their child is special but I mean this, she is special. Her uncanny ability to understand people and her surroundings, far beyond her age, amazes me. Sometimes I pause and wonder where her sensitivity and smartness comes from. Let me give you some instances.

One day, I had come home from work, tired and irritable from the long traffic and endless workload. The minute I walked into the house, she ran to me hugged me and said

“Mummy how are you?” my heart melted instantly at her thoughtfulness and I carried her in my arms

“Mummy is fine” I said as I placed a kiss on her forehead. It has become our routine now; she asks me how I am doing regularly.

Another scenario, one day their nanny had annoyed me and I was shouting at her in the kitchen, my daughter walked into the kitchen from their room and asked me.

“Mummy, what is it?” as if she could solve the problem if I told her about it. Of course I stopped my shouting and told her there was nothing wrong. Since then I make conscious effort not to shout to their hearing. God help me!

This one happened recently, just a few days ago. I had been following up on a particular client and the business was put on hold for no justifiable reason. I felt so disappointed especially as I had put every other thing aside to push for that deal. So the next day, I sat in a chair sulking about the whole issue and my daughter walked up to me. She gave me her usual probing stare and when I didn’t respond with a smile at her, she took my hand in hers and said

“Mummy, let’s sing You Are Great!” Something shifted in my heart, I was moved beyond words. There I was sulking about a deal gone wrong and God had to use my little girl to remind me that He is still great and that all will be well. I started singing the song along with her and forgot my troubles.

You see now that my daughter is special and she is only two and half years old. She already exhibits her big sister ish to her younger brother as she will hug and cuddle him whenever he cries; and if she is asked to watch over him for a while, she will do just that – keeping him entertained, so he does not miss either myself or the nanny. When I think of all these little acts of love, I marvel and believe that indeed children are God’s reward. It is my prayer that every woman desiring the fruit of the womb will be blessed and bring forth a child and experience this wonder called children.

Do you have a story of a special moment with your child? Please share.