While newborn Micah and his mommy Linnea worked hard at give and take (Linnea giving, Micah taking), Skylar and I had fun playing. Our major project was washing the Highlander, which still had salt on it from Chicago’s snowy streets. Here in Florida, everyone’s cars are clean.

Skylar began jumping up and down with glee when we pulled out the bucket, rags and soap. Better still was uncurling the hose and starting the water. You’d think we’d entered Disney World for the joy bubbling out of this little girl. As she washed the car, she squealed enthusiasm over the shiny lights, the silver letters, the pretty wheels and the bubbles everywhere.

Whoever said little kids have short attention spans hasn’t met Skylar. She focused on our work for over two hours at only 19 months old. Chattering the entire time, she hadn’t had enough even after washing the car, her red wagon, the basketballs, her own clothes and her beach chair. Jack did his level best to stay out of range, although she frequently swung the hose and slopped wet rags in his direction.

By the time the car was clean and dry, we were both dirty and wet, but Skylar wanted to start all over. “Bubbles? ‘Waller’? Car?”

Children are a delight. Skylar’s energy and enthusiasm for anything new is inspiring, and it makes me want to show her more and more, just to get her responses. Today she learned the color silver and was pointing out everything that qualified: earrings, hub caps, a piece of tin foil, a spoon. The world is opening up for her, and she’s learning at lightning speed. She believes everything we tell her and parrots it back to be sure she got it right. She loves to be with all of us, because she senses we truly love her.

I can see why Jesus related well to children and why they were drawn to him. They sensed his genuine interest in and acceptance of them, as they were. He loved them, and they knew it.

It’s impressive that Jesus shushed his friends when they tried to limit children’s access to him. Instead he welcomed them with open arms and gentle touches. He even told his followers, “How about being more like these little kids? You’d better, or you’ll never get into my kingdom.”

That sounds harsh, but I think Jesus was pointing out exactly what I saw in Skylar today. Honesty. Openness. Someone who trusts easily. Skylar believes fully and tries to follow instructions. She takes things at face value. She also expects the best of everyone, including herself as she tries and tries again to do things right. If she’d been in the crowd with Jesus that day, she would have been the first one on his lap. That’s precisely the kind of all-out commitment Jesus was (and is) looking for in his kingdom people.

“Jesus… was angry with his disciples. He said to them, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14-16)