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Transcript

Ever hear of Jimmy Durante? The comedian with the big nose?

One night, in a foul mood, the famous funnyman tried to cancel a dinner engagement. But his hosts said the lamb chops were in the skillet and he had to come. As Durante walked in the door, his hosts asked him to read a bedtime story to their four-year-old. The disgruntled showman read aloud about cabbages and kings . . . the Walrus that cries as he carves the oysters . . . the elephant that plays the fife . . . the pobble with no toes. And losing himself in the child’s world, Durante smiled again.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Even Jimmy Durante, a professional entertainer of adults, was revived by childlike laughter and play—as are we all—in the high calling of our daily work.

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

(Mark 10:13-16)