Watson's Blog
playing like a child / 10.13.08, 10:20 AM
Do you remember the last time you felt like a child? My favorite part of the day is this spot along the way to my volunteer work site where the sidewalk is covered with little acorns that snap under my shoes. I step every which way, tripping over my feet in order to find every single acorn to snap, smiling all along. It’s like popping bubble-wrap, pure childish pleasure!
Then I remember that my job is also to play; I work at the Andrew P. Stewart Center, an after school program for elementary students. I get excited every afternoon when I see the bus pull up and the precious children I’ve quickly grown to love pour and tumble and push their way off the bus. Some give me hugs and high fives; some are a bit tougher to connect with. I play hard all afternoon and laugh and push swings and turn the merry-go-round till I’m wiped out. And it’s so much fun!
Through it I’ve discovered that playing is a very spiritual activity. In our team devotions, we read a chapter from Bob Lupton’s book Theirs is the Kingdom. It talked of kingdom playgrounds where God’s children play with great intensity because, “They learn that their gifts, which they once thought were useful only for making money in the marketplace, are actually the exact abilities needed to work in God’s kingdom. In these unlikely places, God’s children discover the serious work of eternity is simply the joyful employment of the talents they desire most to express.”
You see, we were never created to be adults anyway! “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matt. 18:3).
God orchestrated me working at the Stewart Center; I didn’t have anything to do with it and almost passed up the opportunity because it didn’t seem to fit into “my” ideal or plan. Yet it’s exactly the place where He knew the talents I desired most to express would be a perfect fit, both in spending time with the kids and also employing my communication skills through administrative tasks. I love this kingdom playground where God has set me free to play!
And so I ask you: where has God set you free to play? And where have you turned away from “childish” things in order to oblige adult expectations? Ask God to teach you how to play and dream again, in His Kingdom Playground.
~Faith
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Read more of Watson's Blogs.
it’s always nice to have reminders of what
G-d’s Kingdom is going to be like. i’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying your work site! blessings to you and john!
By Jacob (New Orleans Team) / Oct 13, 10:40 AM / #
i LOVE playing with those kids!!
which ones are your favorites? (i know, you’re not supposed to have favorites, but i know you do)
hope things are still going well!!
have a good break too!
By Bubby / Dec 11, 11:45 AM / #