So I have to tell you about one of my favorite days, and it wasn’t a holiday of any sort…it was just a day. There was nothing inherently special about it. The day started off as many Friday’s do for us Balogh’s. It was a day off of work for me, a day that usually starts slow, with a hot breakfast and coffee. We had homemade French toast strips, coffee with a pinch of cinnamon in it, and the required hazelnut creamer. The kids sat on the floor in front of the tv watching cartoons (picked by the two year old this time, so Chuggington and Phinehas & Ferb) as they ate, while us “adults” sipped our coffee and scanned the news. Yes, this day was beginning like many Fridays before it. It was what happened next that changed everything for me though — and I almost missed the moment.
Not to ruin this idealistic morning I’ve described thus far, but it came shortly after raising my voice at my kids in disbelief as they fought over a spoon in the kitchen. Yes, a spoon. I promise we have more than one, so that wasn’t the issue. I know. You’re probably as shocked as I was to hear that I’m not a perfect parent. Anyway, long story short, I had to cool off, and then sought them out to apologize. To their credit they were quick to forgive as kids typically are. This was the first of several things my kids taught me thst day.
The moment I almost missed started as many moments do around here…annoying behavior. My oldest son started to follow his older sister around and was what we call around here, “pesting” her. It involved a nerf gun with bullets lost long ago being repetitively shot in her direction. No bullets, just an annoying noise. Over. And over. And over. What happened next was really what I can only describe as a divine moment. I whispered to my daughter as she sat next to me on the couch in frustration the following words, “Pssst. Hey. I know he’s really ‘pesting’ you right now and going about it all the wrong ways, but what he’s really looking for is your attention. So load up your finger guns and shoot him back.”
The look on her face changed from frustration to mischievous glee as he came over saying “y’all can’t keep secrets” as she shot him with what I think was an imaginary blaster from Star Wars. (Bew, bew, Buh bew) Something in me snapped too. Lately, I would have been content to have redirected her and continued sipping my coffee as they now played together. But I jumped in the game as well…Then Brenda had an even better idea than finger guns and the honor system…how about large marshmallows instead?! So we played marshmallow dodgeball in the house much to their delight. There was ducking behind furniture, diving onto couches, and marshmallows everywhere! It didn’t last more than 10 minutes, but it was fun, and carefree, and the whole family played. And I almost missed it. (Also, it’s amazing how much dust and hair a sticky marshmallow will collect.)
So here’s my encouragement to you… You may not have kids yet, or maybe they are too young, or now out on their own, but don’t miss the lessons that kids can teach us. It’s a lesson that all who take life too seriously need to hear. This is one for anyone who pays bills regularly. It’s what I learned today from watching and engaging as I intentionally “carpe-d the small moments.” I had to put down my coffee and my phone to really see it. Stop “”adulting” for a few minutes and give myself permission to…
Let your whimsy loose! Pretend. Make everything a game. Don’t over think it just do it. Experiment. Allow yourself to be unashamedly enthusiastic about what you like. Jump on the bed. Eat dessert before a meal. (did that one today!) Break out a coloring book. Have a random 2 minute dance party with the lights off and the disco strobe on. (Did this one too!) Fast Walk in the house. (Because every kid knows fast walking is nothing like running) Play barefoot in the backyard. Jump through a sprinkler until your legs are sore. Give yourself permission to be a kid and let the weight of adulthood melt away.
Psalm 127:3 is a great reminder that “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.” In Mark 10:15, Jesus said that we must “Receive the Kingdom of God Like a child,” or we will never see it. So let’s slow down, put down our phones, and let our whimsy show. Allow the children to lead us. I don’t always get it right, and I know there will be days when I will miss the mark by a wide margin; so will you. That’s okay. Don’t let that stop you from trying again. And as we each practice being kids again, maybe we’ll all start to look, and act, and feel more like ourselves again. Kingdom kids…full of joy, enthusiasm, and contagious energy, who are quick to forgive, and love, and play.
Game on!
