While still young, we become anxious to grow older
Modeling ourselves on nearby adults who seem successful –
Eventually, however, we become older ourselves – inside and out.

But this turns out to be not right!

Later on in our lives, some of us begin a struggle
To become free of our earlier-developed “mature” selves
While an even smaller number manage to actually accomplish it –
By becoming “children” again.

Growing older, at some point we find the need to start over – reversing direction –
Spiritually – getting younger year by year –
Until we achieve the stage Jesus might look over at us –
(Now, perhaps, grandfathers and grandmothers)
And say: “Let the little children come unto me.”