Yesterday we went strawberry picking. Another momma and her 3 little boys went with us and we went for a playground picnic afterward. We had a beautiful day for it and the kids (all 7 of them) behaved really well. When we were first getting ready to head out into the field to pick, the kids had partnered themselves up in pairs - very cute. Sydney took Vincenzo (a 2 year old twin), Shane took Tuscan (the 4 year old big brother), Noah took Matteo (the other twin), and they decided that Seth could be with me and Shannon...

Though it was cute that they took it upon themselves to buddy up, it wasn't until I was uploading pictures late last night that I was struck.

I had brought my camera with intentions of snapping lots of gorgeous sunshiney strawberry pickin' pictures. It was enough work trying to pick berries while constantly scanning the field to be sure all kiddos were in sight. This photo - or portion of a photo - caught my eye. This was after we had gotten into the field and were starting to pick...the kids were just kind of going about their business, but Noah was still holding Matteo's hand.

When we think of the people we want leading us, we make lists of qualifications - must be smart, savvy, strong, experienced, educated...you know the list. Here, Matteo didn't know that Noah hasn't even been to preschool yet. He didn't care that he's barely 4 inches taller and not quite 2 years older. Nor did he realize that Noah has never picked strawberries before. But that didn't matter - Matteo had the faith of a child. God tells us to have faith like a child. These babes don't question our abilities. They trust that we will lead and care for them and keep them safe. Even a child barely older than themselves. How precious, too, that Noah took Matteo by the hand and led him. To where? Who knows what he had in mind - but he was willing, and Matteo trusted.