I began dating Diedra (my wife) in high school. I was attracted to many of her lovely attributes–which I’ve discovered over the course of the last 25 years were only glimmers of a beauty which was far more expansive than I could have possibly imagined–a beauty that continues to widen and deepen with each chapter we experience together.

In those early days, I’ll never forget how random children in the grocery store would walk right up to her and start chatting away. The first time it happened I assumed (wrongly) that she knew the kid from church or something. When it happened again, I was bewildered. I asked her if this is a regular occurrence. She replied not always, but frequently enough to be normal for her.

Excited, I asked, “How does it work? Invisible tractor beam? Are you winking at them when I’m not looking? Why are these children ignoring their Never Talk to Strangers lessons when they pass you in the aisle?”

“No, I’m not winking. And I have no idea why they come up to me.” She gently replied.

Fascinating.

This doesn’t happen to me. Most children have to take time to warm up before they feel comfortable in my presence. I don’t let it bother me. You shouldn’t either.

But it did happen to Jesus. Kids went right up to him. His disciples tried to stop them, and Jesus rebuked them for it. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” He’s a kid magnet, and He’s inviting us grown-ups to come too.