There's a timelessness about playing with little ones.
They don't treat you like you're old. They expect youth without realizing they do . . .
Down on the floor.
Jumping rope.
Playing ball.
Up, down,
All around.
We say kids have a way of bringing out the child in us, and perhaps, that's true.
But I wonder if it's more that they bring out the eternal in us.
A sense that all time stops for the sheer joy of experiencing the wonder of the world in that moment . . .
An ant scurrying to his hole.
A chalk drawing on the sidewalk.
A cloud shape that looks very much like a dinosaur.
A soap bubble bouncing with color.
And just maybe that's why we older folks struggle to let go of those winsome, wonder-filled years when a child or grandchild "stopped time" for us.
Still, we're happy to see them grow and develop, because let's face it--even the best expression of eternity here on earth is tainted by sin.
Tempers flare, bones ache, patience wanes, and bodies grow tired, for old and young alike.
Every wonder-filled moment is but an echo of heaven, prayerfully pointing our hearts toward our real Home.
We yearn for the kids to grow into godly adults who carry Jesus into their world, and yet . . .
We grieve the passing of time. For one brief moment, we lived the illusion that time stopped, that we were ageless.
An eternal yearning God placed within all of us.
We claim children are the self-seekers--"Look . . . look at me, tend to my needs"--but often we grownups are no different. Even our playtimes with kids address this deep-seated desire to remain young.
Oh, Abba Father, may this eternity You've woven into the very fabric of our souls cause us to think beyond ourselves, to see You high and lifted up, to glory in You, to gaze upon Your beauty, enjoying the forever redemption and eternal life Your Son secured through His death, burial, and resurrection.
May the desire of leading little ones to a saving knowledge of You be greater than our own longing to remain young on this side of heaven.
For indeed, no one stays young on this earth; would we really want to in this fallen world?
"Old" gets us to glory (in the typical scheme of things). Although the young die, too. It is the way of this world.
Praise You, oh Lord, for moving me to take hold of eternal life in You. Even little ones--often little ones--can know the true need to do this.
Help them, Abba, never forget that LIFE is wrapped up in you. No counterfeit pleasures, temporary fixes can substitute for LIFE in You, a life that grows brighter as the day dawns, if viewed through eyes of faith fixed on the fullness of Joy yet to come.
The full joy of being in the physical presence of Jesus. Forever.
Pure joy in a timeless realm.
~~
If you enjoy the cute and often profound things kids say, check out the following:
"Kids can take us right to the heart of God, one way or another. When they provoke frustration, we breathe a silent prayer for grace. When they incite giggles, we hear God’s laughter as well. When they stimulate an endearing moment, we sense God’s touch. When they utter a profound statement, we step back in wonder. What is this phenomenon a little one evokes? Bubbly ripples of laughter that transport us to another realm. Unabashed honesty that cuts to the chase. Joy splashing around our ankles, light spilling into shadow, awakening us to a childlike appreciation for the world around us. If we take the time, if we listen, if we stoop to their level, we can go where kids go—straight to the heart of God. Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones is a collection of cute quips and quotes inspired by Eileen’s grandchildren. Along with other contributors, Eileen cracks the door to the whimsical, yet often wise world of the child."
"Out of the Mouth of Gabe is the culmination of almost two years worth of collecting cute kid quips by Grandma Eileen. On scraps of paper. On napkins. In journals. And yes, even on her hand. At all times of the day and night. In the car. At a picnic. In the back yard. No matter where they were or what they were doing, grandson Gabe had much to share. Some of it witty, and some of it downright funny. You know what the Bible says, 'Out of the mouth of babes . . .' Well, in Eileen Rife's case, it's out of the mouth of Gabe. Enjoy this collection of endearing and often thought-provoking kid quips!"
