Enter the kingdom with the heart of a child

Have you ever experienced true wonder and awe? Did you ever see or experience something so amazing that your jaw dropped as you witnessed it? I can recall seeing my wife in her wedding dress or my daughter in hers. I was spellbound, lost in the moment but loving it all the same. I remember the births of each of my children and the miracle of those events, hearing their simple cries and my heart swelling up and not wanting the moment to end. The moments of stepping off the plane after a difficult deployment and seeing my family and feeling overwhelmed with gratitude as I grabbed and hugged each one and embraced my wife. I wish those moments could be recorded more easily. But I relish the feelings these memories bring as I review them in my mind and heart.

My family and I recently went to Disneyland, “The happiest place on earth” according to the promos. We have been there before and always have tons of fun. But this time our two-year-old granddaughter accompanied us. I can tell you, that experience—being with her and seeing the magic kingdom through her eyes for the first time—is something I will treasure forever. Her eyes would get so big when she saw one of the Disney Princesses in person as we walked among the different rides and attractions.

The Little Mermaid was her favorite. As we road that attraction, her mouth was wide open, spellbound by the music, the lights, sounds, and characters. She tried to take it all in, but in some ways, it was more than her little heart and mind could take. Her excitement and laughter were infectious and made the whole experience exciting again for us. She loved seeing Winnie the Pooh but didn’t want to see Eeyore. I loved her innocence and joy. It was pure happiness.

I contrasted her experience with others that I saw around the park. People stood grumpily in incredibly long lines to purchase a commemorative popcorn bucket their child “had to have.” Others were fought or argued about which ride to go on. At times the sense of entitlement I saw people display left my jaw on the ground. In the land of happiness, many people were unhappy.

It brought to mind the scripture in the KJV Matthew 18:2-4. “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

My trip to Disneyland with my granddaughter helped me see the world like a child again. What can we do to remain humble and be inspired by the small things in life? Pay close attention to the children and youth in your life. If you come across an Eeyore, one of those glass-half-empty folks, reach out in kindness. Embrace that childlike love and excitement in service of our God. Because doing good makes you feel good. That is the feeling of Christ, that is the heart of a child. And that is where we need to be to enter the most magical of all kingdoms: the kingdom of God.

John Boston is a local physician, member of the Mat-Su Regional Hospital Board of Trustees, Colonel in the Alaska Air National Guard, father, husband, grandfather, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.