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“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”

Mark 10:14

This week we continue our theme – Declutter to Make Room, specifically, to Declutter Perfectionism. In the Gospel reading this Sunday there are two teachings, one on divorce and the other on children. With the theme of decluttering perfectionism, I can’t help but think about how those going into a marriage want it to be perfect with lots of love and happiness, and those becoming parents want their children to have perfect lives where they succeed and thrive. Those are great intentions, but as we know as hard as we try life is never perfect.

I am reminded of a scene in The Lion King. Sarabi and Mufasa, Simba’s mom and dad are sound asleep, and it looks like the sun is just coming up. Then Simba comes in and disturbs their perfect sleep, “Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad.” 

Simba’s Mom Sarabi says, “Your son is awake.” 

Mufasa says back, “Before sunrise he’s your son.” 

An extra funny joke from a king who claims to rule “everything the light touches.” 

Jesus is asked about divorce, who does the woman and man belong to after divorce? Jesus’ response is almost comical — what a human question, for in heaven it no longer matters. We all belong together, and ultimately you belong to God. 

Then, when the question comes up with the children, the disciples try to scoot them away. But Jesus encourages the children to come to him, assuring the disciples that they too belong to God. 

The joke between Mufasa and Sarabi is only funny if Simba unconditionally belongs to both his mom and dad no matter what. These two passages only fit together if one understands that they are both about who belongs to God. Jesus gives the answer, which is, everyone, all of them, both! Amen.