Budget Toy For Dylan

"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

Matthew 18:3

When our grandson Dylan was a toddler, I often bought toys for him. Until his parents told me to stop wasting money because he already had many toys. But I really got a kick seeing Dylan looking so happy when I bought him toys so I promised his parents I would buy only inexpensive ones. 

One day, while we were in a toy store together with his parents, I told Dylan he could pick a toy that costs only P100. Quickly, the boy picked a toy and asked me, "Does this cost P100?"

When I said no, he obediently returned the boy to its shelf. The poor boy went round and round the store, trying in vain to find a toy within our budget. 

I felt so sorry for Dylan that when his parents were not looking, I bought him the toy he liked, which was way beyond our budget. Yep, bad me. 

Reflecting on today's Gospel, I wish to be like little Dylan - so pure, so innocent, so obedient - what Jesus said we should be if we want to enter heaven. But while we're still in this world, we get more than what we pray for. That's how much Jesus loves His faithful and obedient children. 

By: Cynthia U. Santiago, Philippines (cusantiago@gmail.com)

REFLECTION: While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.