Like a Child

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:1-5

I watch Kikki watching me. She's three and doesn't know that's impolite to stare. I watch her dark brown eyes take me in. She must see that I know her mother and her mother's friends.

After awhile her brother needs a place to sit so I plop him on my knee. Seconds later Kikki wants to join, and I plop her on my other knee. We sit in silence for awhile--then she cocks her head just a little and tucks it under my chin. I went from a stranger to friend in under fifteen minutes.

Jesus said that we must become like children to enter the kingdom. I don't think he said that because children are little saints. They can be selfish ("That's mine!") and petty ("If you don't give that to me I won't be your friend anymore!"), but one quality they have is an unguarded openness to love*. They are not protecting their egos nor particularly worried about their image, or even that you'll hurt them. They simply accept love and give love. Jesus said that we must become like them. We must learn to be loved and love over and over again.

*While we live in a sinful world a certain amount of guardedness is normal and healthy but what often happens is that what should be walls to keep the dangerous out becomes a fortress to keep everyone out.