Alice in Wonderland

On an uncharacteristically spring-like day this week, our one-year-old granddaughter, Alice, and I ventured outside. For an hour, I lived in Alice’s world. I let her take the lead. We marveled at the wind-blown leaves as they tumbled by. We double-fisted as many weathered acorn caps as we could, holding on to them for dear life. We crawled in the wet grass to investigate a stick. We let the intense brightness of the sun close our eyes and render us motionless. We patted the trunk of a tree.

In that Alice hour, I caught a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven. Alice and I were in wonderland.

Jesus often reminded his followers of the need to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. He welcomed children and used them as examples of how we are to live.

Simplicity, wonder, and curiosity are hallmarks of a little one. Everything around them is bursting with newness and inviting discovery.

Their minds are always in the moment. There is no regret from the past or anxiety about what is to come.

They trust without reservation.

I believe this way of seeing and living in the world is what we are all called to. If we can manage to do it, then we experience heaven on earth.

Lent is a good time for a reboot. A time to do the work of dying to our old habits and opening ourselves to a wonderful new way of doing life.

Alice’s way

Joan

Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3