Mister Rogers invited a young boy to play piano.  Mr. Rogers sat beside the piano, fully present to the child and to the music.  He watched the child’s face and never once looked at his hands, his fingers dashing over the keys, his technique of lifting his wrists just so.  He was not interested in how this child played so well.  He was simply present to a child doing what he loved to do.

I imagine Jesus was present just like this.  Sitting quietly, listening, watching, smiling, welcoming, encouraging, waiting.

Mr. Rogers asked gently, “What would you say to another child who might like to try to play the piano?”  The boy admitted that if a child liked to play, it would be very fun to practice.  Yes, other children really might like to try it to see if they like it.

To excel because you like it.  To practice because it is fun.  And Jesus says that like a child, you will enter the kingdom of heaven.