“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” — Luke 18:16b.
The New Testament’s various translations offer different wordings of this passage, but its core message remains unchanged: Jesus welcomes young children and reminds us of the childlike qualities—love and innocence—that are essential for entering the Kingdom of God.
I was fortunate to spend the weekend with my daughter, son-in-law, and their two delightful children, Maggie and Riley. Watching them, I couldn’t help but recall Luke’s words. Their boundless energy, affection, and pure innocence are truly magical. As the saying goes, being around them is like “dipping your toes in magic waters.”
While I cherish every moment with my children and grandchildren, there’s something uniquely captivating about Maggie and Riley. It’s as if God sent them to remind us all of life’s preciousness and the wonder of childhood.
As they departed yesterday, a sense of longing filled our hearts. Their absence prompted me to reflect on their innocence and ponder what happened to mine. Does the world inevitably erode our innate innocence? I remember when a respected Washington reporter labeled me “naive” in an article. In D.C., this was considered a severe criticism, far worse than being called a ‘fraud’ or an ‘idiot.’ When I called him the next day, he anticipated a scathing rebuke. Instead, I expressed gratitude for his honesty, acknowledging the truth in his assessment. I explained that his critique had sadly caused the loss of a valuable quality. He didn’t have a clue about what I was saying.
Innocence, particularly in adults, continues to inspire me. It’s the purest form of curiosity.
Leave a Reply +