I sat in my black Volvo. School was about out. I made it through all my email. That doesn\u2019t happen much these days. So I watched the kids play. Much more interesting than scheduling and deleting and responding. I could see their laughter and their smiles. I was a bit jealous.<\/p>\n
I know the children\u2019s parents. Some have sat in my office before. So have the parent\u2019s neighbors. The kid\u2019s teachers and coaches have too. I hear stories of disease, dysfunction, despair, depression, dejection, divorce, and death.<\/p>\n
Something happens between the playground and the pastor\u2019s office. Life happens. Broken hearts. Broken dreams. Broken promises. Broken bodies.<\/p>\n
Jesus tells us to become like children. It makes perfect sense if you think about it.<\/p>\n
Less apprehensive and more trusting.<\/em><\/p>\n Less complicated and more simple.<\/em><\/p>\n Less austere and more filled with awe.<\/em><\/p>\n Less resentful and more forgiving.<\/em><\/p>\n Here are two things I observe adults can learn from children. <\/strong><\/p>\n Most children can\u2019t pretend he or she is anything other that what he or she actually is. I could tell from my car who was sad. Who was hurt. Who was happy. Who was lonely. I also observed the sad being comforted, the hurt being healed, the happy being celebrated with, and the lonely being embraced.<\/p>\n But something happened along the way.<\/em> We were taught to be strong and self-sufficient.<\/p>\n Adults have to ask each other how we are doing and it\u2019s tough to get a straight answer these days. We wear masks and the masks have names. Names like pretty good or okay or alright or fine. Don\u2019t expect anybody to celebrate with you or console you when you wear one of your masks.<\/p>\n Remove the mask. Be vulnerable and real and authentic. You\u2019ll be blessed. So will others.<\/p>\n The children are artists and athletes and learners and musicians. Their aim is to experience as much life as possible. They are good with being an average soccer player or a lousy potter or a decent dancer. The creative process is more important than the final product.<\/p>\n But something happened along the way.<\/em> Somebody told us the lie: \u201cIf you can\u2019t do it right then don\u2019t it at all.\u201d Something else happened too. We believed that lie.<\/p>\n We started comparing ourselves to others. We began competing for a better place in the line: near the front by the right people. Instead of exploring and collaborating, we strive for empty and shiny gods like power and success and fortune and security that will never be able to keep the promises they make.<\/p>\n Play again. Look like a fool on the dance floor if you are having fun. Be the worst golfer on the course if it gives you joy. Write a book even if the publishers tell you it\u2019s not good enough. Don\u2019t care what others think. Don\u2019t compare yourself to others. Prepare to keep growing and live better.<\/p>\n I look at these kids\u2014they have it pretty darn good. Jesus says become like them. What innocence has lost grace will restore.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I sat in my black Volvo. School was about out. I made it through all my email. That doesn\u2019t happen much these days. So I watched the kids play. Much more interesting than scheduling and deleting and responding. I could…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[186,92,114,146],"class_list":["post-1707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spiritual-formation","tag-authentic","tag-children","tag-comparison","tag-grace"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\n
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