Wouldn't it be wonderful to always have the unquestioning, joyful faith of a child?

When my grandfather died, my brother and sister-in-law weren't sure how to handle explaining it to their two year old daughter, Maddie. They decided to simply tell her that Papa had gone to be with Jesus. Surprisingly, she was thrilled at the news. Of course her understanding of "going to be with Jesus" included a "visiting" type of arrangement that allowed for coming and going at will.

She was having an utterly wonderful time at the visitation. Skipping around, smelling all the flowers and delighting in all the attention from the aunts, uncles and cousins that had come together just to talk about Papa being with Jesus. Because my grandparents lived in Florida, Maddie hadn't spent much time with him, so it was understandable that she wouldn't remember exactly what he looked like.

In the midst of "working the room", enchanting everyone and cooperatively giving out hugs and kisses, she happened to look up as one of my grandfather's friends entered the room. I must admit he does slightly resemble my grandfather but she thought it was him and stopped dead in her tracks to run and welcome him back from his "visit" with Jesus.

"Papa!", she exclaimed excitedly, "You're back!"

Being hard of hearing, he didn't understand what she was saying but he was charmed to be greeted so enthusiastically and took her proffered little hand and was led willingly to the nearest seat. After he sat down, she stood between his knees, resting a pudgy elbow on each knee. She was visibly eager to engage him in conversation.

"You were with Jesus, but now you're back...and ALL these flowers are for you!"

I was fortunate enough to witness every detail of this charming exchange. It amused me to no end. It touched me too, that she knew enough about Jesus to be filled wth such awe and excitement to talk to someone that had actually been with Jesus.