Be like a... Kid?

There’s a story about Jesus where He says a confusing line: “To inherit the kingdom of heaven, you’ve got to become like a little child.”
 
Huh??
 
Hey Jesus, I don’t know when was the last time you babysat a kid, but, sometimes they can be a little… uh… how should I say it, bratty? I mean they’re great and all! But what do you MEAN be like a kid?
 
Someone told me once that Scripture is like a diamond – examine it carefully in the light, and you’ll see more and more facets the more you look. In my experience, that has proven true, even with confusing lines.
 
Perhaps a shimmering facet of the “diamond” of this line is about remembering how to be in relationship, like a kid knows how to be in relationship.
 
I remember meeting my first baby nephew, born the day after I turned 15. I remember the weeks to follow, learning how to hold a newborn, how to cradle the head just right, how to rock him when he fussed. Later, with more nieces and nephews, I kept learning: how to feed them, change them, and get them to giggle and show off toothless smiles when I’d play with them.
 
And I remember being absolutely stunned that they knew nothing except trust. I remember being 15, holding this tiny little baby, and clearly thinking to myself, He has no idea, that I have no idea what I’m doing. He should be so nervous! But he wasn’t. He just… slept. Cuddled up. Anxiety was still foreign. He mostly just wanted to be near to his parents.
 
Be like a little child.
 
I’m told I spent most Saturdays of my first couple years of life on the sidelines of my older siblings’ soccer games. Apparently, as long as I knew my family was around, the hot hours on a noisy sideline didn’t bother me in the least.
 
Be like a little child.
 
Last time I visited family, my youngest niece came dashing up to me when I walked in the door, then dashed right back away, too breathless to even say hello. Seconds later she came pounding back in with two picture books in hand. Aunt Katy, will you READ TO ME?!! No decorum, no polite greetings, just pure excitement to be with me and an assumption that I would be happy to hold her and read to her.
 
Be like a little child.
 
It’s so easy to forget what Jesus wants us to remember, what kids seem to grasp so naturally: relationships. Being with someone. Trusting. Peace. Asking for help.
 
Be like a little child.
 
This advent, as we think on peace, we do so remembering Christ’s words: Be like a little child. Trust. Assume Jesus wants to see you, be with you, hold you. He is our Prince of Peace, and we experience that peace by living in relationship with Him.
 
Jesus, show us how to live in relationship with you like a kid.
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