Shifting Perspective in Unexpected Ways
Let the little children come to me… Why in the world would we consider learning a lesson or two from those who frolic below our line of sight? Maybe below our typical focus is a world of wonder and joy, awaiting our attention.
A week relaxing with my wife in a new land, Disneyland to be exact. What in the world could I learn here? Well how much time do I have… I'll simply write about the one lesson learned/observed today while eating a delicious Disney breakfast and witnessing the joy of children dancing around the restaurant with some of their favorite characters. Parents were excited to join their young ones in the parade of careless prancing around tables of smiling viewers, eager to see the joy in their young faces. As per usual, I found myself tearing up with heartfelt appreciation and a longing to join my future child in such a free expression. I fought the temptation to be the odd childless grown man joining the procession, but recognized the ease to which parents were able to join in, for the sake of their little darlings. What is special about that? It may go without saying (or writing), that many adults grow to lose their appreciation for the simplistic expressions of freedom and possibly freedom itself. While celebrating with my brothers and sisters in my church, the great love and provision of our Creator, I struggle to move my feet and dance like an energetic child. I can do it at a wedding, as it is socially acceptable, but a white boy dancing in church, not so much. I wonder how many others around my age feel a similar weightedness in their step when they feel the desire to move to a groove. Children on the other hand move freely. Last night, I watched two boys around the age of four, jumping through bushes and one come up with the great idea to remove his shoes in the dirt. There was no path, but he saw one; with his unhinged imagination, he likely created one. Adults either seem compelled to walk the path or rebellious when they refuse. These children were not defiant or even aware of our pressing social norms which often hold our freedom and creativity hostage.
Moments like this and seeing the children in the restaurant, remind me of the freedom of my childhood, willing to play in the rain and jump in puddles. While completing a house project last summer, I had to move and level about 500 pounds of dirt, which quickly turned to mud. As tools failed me, I used my feet to stomp the mud into a semi-level foundation. What started as a mess with shoes on, became quite the pleasure barefoot. The feeling of mud between my toes was actually an experience that will remain with me. Something so simple and readily available, but rarely enjoyed. What has happened to me? I would have easily done it in my youth.
I search for deeper life lessons in these experiences. This morning, I recognized, that like the parents enjoying and even leading their dancing children, our Creator and Father designed reality to allow for those who come before, to be reminded of simple wonders. When we have the opportunity to see through the less-distorted eyes of children, we see the freedom to move, express and create beauty. It is a must that we are available and attentive, so we do not miss these keys to unlocking our chains of “maturity”.
What next...
Get up and dance; find some dirt and create a path. Look around and identify the little messengers our Creator sends us to remind us of who we once were and who we were created to be, free.
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