The bubbly child was walking, still in diapers. You could see smiles on everyone in his vicinity. I watched silently, wondering why. I assumed there must be something funny going on. As I got nearer to the scene, there was nothing of humor. Everything centered on a small child enjoying life. As he wandered from side to side, touching and looking at everything of interest, you could not help but smile. This kid had discovered a wonderful way of living. He was enjoying life. He was happy to share his enjoyment with any and everyone. The smiles of everyone that took the time to watch him said he was doing just that.
The scene has stayed with me. I still cannot see anything that was funny. The child was cute but not beautiful. Nothing in the memory stands out except for his attitude towards life. Even at his age, you could sense his heart’s purity and love of living.
He was a good teacher. The three minutes of watching him are still calling me into living more. I do not know that he has any insights. If he did, I am not aware of it. I do know that he has discovered life’s invitation to live fully in the moment at hand. It would be easy to say that it is always easier for kids, but that diminishes the freedom you and I have within us.
I also realize that he had embraced everyone as someone of interest. He did not seem to notice that they were old or young, familiar or stranger. There was no competing or comparing in his heart.
As I reflect, old questions sound like ones he would ask in time. “For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what’s the point of all this comparing and competing?” (1 Corinthians 4.7)
Today is a living opportunity.
