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"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 18:2-5, NIV Musicians at a drum circle in downtown Asheville, North Carolina played a delightful rhythm that made me feel like dancing. But as I looked at people in the gathered crowd, no one was dancing except a few little children. The music continued, and I continued to feel compelled to dance. Yet, I resisted doing so. I worried how I might embarrass myself if I became the only adult dancing. Then, an apparently homeless woman showed up with her shopping cart of belongings, took out a drum, and joined the other musicians to play. Some of the adults looked away as if they were uncomfortable. But one of the little children moved straight in front of the woman and danced joyfully to her music. The woman, too, looked joyful as she saw that child and the others dancing. It was then that I remembered God was there with us all. Feeling a sense of wonder, I stepped out to dance along with the children – no matter what other people may have thought of me. In the stress of our adult lives, it's easy to lose sight of the simple marvels that once captivated us as children. Yet, in the book of Matthew, Jesus calls our attention to the profound significance of childlike wonder. He calls us to embrace the curiosity, kindness, and unassuming faith that characterize the hearts of children. Jesus isn't advocating for a regression to childish behavior but rather a transformation in our hearts. Imagine a child encountering the world for the first time. For that child, every sight, sound, and sensation sparks a sense of awe and fascination. Likewise, in our own spiritual journeys, we can be blessed by approaching God with wide-eyed wonder – as if encountering our wonderful God for the very first time. Childlike wonder is characterized by humility, openness, and a willingness to be amazed. It involves setting aside our preconceived notions and intellectual barriers, allowing ourselves to be enveloped by the mystery and majesty of God's presence. | 
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