It's a photograph I took Wednesday while babysitting Eli, my friend's eight-month-old son.

I'd been thinking about Jesus' statement, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Who's more pure in heart than a baby? With that thought in mind, I sat Eli in a chair, gave him some playing cards, and started clicking.

Eli stared at the cards in fascination. He tasted them. He bent them. He ran his little fingers across the slick surface. In short, he took the

hand I dealt him and didn't question its value. He explored it in every way he could. And I learned.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they do not look at their neighbor's hand and say, "Hey, he has three kings, and I only have a lousy pair of sixes." They see their cards as a rare and precious gift. They marvel at the colors. They taste and touch and enjoy what they have without questioning its value. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they take the hand they're dealt without complaint and choose to enjoy it, believing in the goodness of the One who gave. Blessed are the pure in heart, for in accepting His gifts with unwavering trust in His goodness, they shall see God.

Eli taught me that.

- Jeanine