Please Let Kids be Kids

 As a kid, you are comforted by tradition and routine. For example, with Easter around the corner, I am reminded that my childhood traditions and routines included: a new Easter dress (the fabric of which was picked out earlier - usually something floral- and sewn by Mom), Maundy Thursday service and a boisterous round of “Up From the Grave He Arose” on Sunday morning.

As an adult, YOU are now responsible for traditions and routines… in a world and culture that is completely unrecognizable from your own upbringing and youth.

As a kid, you trust the adults in your world - doctors, teachers, neighbors, pastors. You trust that they are who they say they are, they will do what the say they will do, and they have your best interests in mind.

As an adult, you learn the truth. Of course there are trustworthy adults of integrity, but they seem few and far between. I wonder if it’s always been that way, and I was just a naive kid, or if it has gotten worse?

As a kid, the beauty and delight of life is being in the moment. Oh, how may hours I delighted in replaying the same dang storylines with my Barbies (I had one Ken; he was a polygamist), making and coloring designs with my Spirograph and swinging - just back and forth.

As an adult, you have to write it in your planner and put post-it notes on the mirror - BE PRESENT- because as adults, our world is on hyperspeed -getupgetreadygotoworkdotheworkrespondtoemailsplanplanplanprepprepprepgotoameetingorthreerunerrandsmakedinnerdohomeworkreadgotobed. Work always comes before play. Responsibility always trumps relaxation. Thinking ahead supersedes just….thinking.

Being a kid is a blessed gift. We only learn that when we are no longer one. We don’t realize it when we are raising our own kids because of the pressure and judgment we feel when we are feeling around in the dark trying to parent. But it boomerangs again when we get grandkids - no pressure, all pleasure.

That said, please let kids be kids. Uninterrupted, unscheduled time to play is gold. It is where curiosity is born and creativity is nurtured. We need both in order to progress as a society. Treat kids like a plant: give them sunshine, put them outside, feed them good food, water them often, protect and shelter them as needed, and prune as needed. If cared for properly, the blooms will be amazing.

Where True Wealth Lies

 "The wealthiest spot on this planet is not the oil fields in the Middle East. Neither is it the gold and diamond mines of South Africa, the uranium mines of the Soviet Union, or the silver mines of Africa. Thought it may surprise you, the richest deposits on our planet lie just a few blocks from your house. They rest in your local cemetery or graveyard. Buried beneath the soil within the walls of those sacred grounds are dreams that never came to pass, songs that were never sung, books that were never written, paintings that never filled a canvas, ideas that were never shared, visions that never became reality, inventions that were never designed, plans that never went beyond the drawing board of the mind, and purposes that were never fulfilled. Graveyards are filled with potential that remained potential" (Myles Munro).

There are stories there that were never told, because no one thought they were interesting and important, and tragically, no one bothered to ask - because they were too scared, because they thought it might be perceived as rude, or because they "just didn't have time. There are all whole volumes of wisdom that were never shared, advice that was never given, and regretfully, words that were never said.

"One of the greatest tragedies in life is to watch potential die untapped. Many potentially great men and women never realize their potential because they do not understand the nature," concept, and depth of the meaning of the words, gifts and talents. "There is a wealth of potential in you. . .You must decide if you are going to rob the world or bless it with the rich, valuable, potent, untapped resources locked away within you" (Munro).

Every Possession That Clings

 "Every possession produces an appetite that clings." 

    Our house is gorged with possessions. Some of the ownership of that fact is tied to our kids.  We still have boxes and totes of stuff that is theirs.  However, the bulk of the responsibility for that fact is on Mike and me. We are both at fault.  We both like thrift store hopping, and we are avid garage-salers in the "nice" months of the year.  We are also both loath to toss things, but for different reasons.  I'm sentimental, and Mike is concerned with value ("I might need that down the road," or "That might be worth something."

    The abundance of possessions, indeed, produces an appetite that clings.  In my case, it keeps me anchored to the past - both people and eras, especially when it comes to the emotional "feels." Perhaps this explains why I struggle so much with change and transitions and generally being positive about the future. With the current climate (and I'm not talking weather), who can blame me?

    The word, "clings," never has a positive connotation. A clingy child, friend, or spouse means that someone is hampering someone else's ability to move forward or get things done. A clingy dress or sweater is often uncomfortable, limiting movement or the ability to do simple things (like bend over). Even cling wrap is designed to provide a barrier by clinging to a bowl or container. In short, cling = not good.

    This idea explains why Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, the disciples, etc, all chose a life of poverty, abandoning possession - anything that might cling (including people).  In fact, that was an ultimatum that Jesus insisted on in order for the disciples to become his follower (Luke 14: 33). It allowed them all to concentrate on what mattered most: Their relationship with God and subsequent ministry. By having no ties to past, they could concentrate on the present - on God's still, small voice; subsequent daily decisions; tasks; and moments/events that were placed in their path at that given time and moment.

    The quote underscores a simple idea, but one that has multiple layers of meaning and value.  For me, I'm never going to be able to fully lean into the present, and/or future/goals, if I am being pulled back by the past, or worse, if I am choosing to not let go/cling to the past - which includes both the good and the bad. The challenge to me today is to take a good, hard look at all that is presently clogging up the arteries of my life, both the possessions that are tactile/tangible and unseen/intangible but whose weight is none the lighter.