Three Word Wednesday: Walk As Children

Let's be honest, humankind has a pretty lousy track record with snake-related distractions. And my children are no different.

There is a new found freedom in our household, and it comes in the form of the two oldest kids adventuring the whole 1 block home from school by themselves. I'm not going to lie, I'm still nervous about this most days, and frankly, they haven't done a whole lot to assuage my paranoia.

Like when they didn't come home last week. Ok, we give them a grace period of about 15 minutes seeing as they have an uncontrollable urge to assault every person they have ever met ever with a barrage of hugs and high fives. I must say, I love that about their school.

But when 20 minutes have passed and still no kiddos? "Better go get 'em," I tell my husband, and he heads out the door.

It wasn't the first time a snake would be blamed for the transgression of man. This snake was a pet, and the student who brought it to school had a blast showing it off.

And my kids are easily distracted.

So when I tell you my three words, don't think I am inviting you to distraction, or irresponsibility. It is certainly not a call to childishness. Goodness knows we don't need any more of that.

Walk as children.

 

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)," Galatians 5:8-9

The point of this passage lies more in walking in the light, discerning right from wrong and avoiding the ways of darkness.

But golly, what if we were to do that as children instead of fuddy-duddy adults?

What if our days were less about plowing from Point A to Point B, and more about exploring the sights along the way?

Because if you have ever E-VER tried to walking anywhere with a child at a reasonable rate to keep on some agenda accomplishing pace,

and if that child has ever thrashed about to get out of their stroller so they could walk themselves,

and if you have felt the knot of anxiety welling up in your heart and the feeling of powerlessness in compelling your child to walk in a straight line,

and if you have then determined that all of Satan's powers have now been concentrated into every itty-bitty crawling thing and colorful plant that could possibly lead your child astray,

and if you have then prayed to the good Lord above that you make it to your destination before nightfall,

then you know what a curious thing childlike fascination is.

And sometimes you might want it back yourself.

Because sometimes walking grown-up style is tedious and boring, and who doesn't want to skip now and again? Hold hands with a friend? Run as fast as you can? Question your world?

Just plain play?

Take the detour that eats up the time we claim as our own and spend it doing something worthwhile: marveling at how good our God is. After all, kids do it all the time.

When through the woods and forest glades I wander,

I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze,

 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

-How Great Thou Art

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