Being Childish

Tonight I was the "speaker" at Church.  We are having Wednesday night services during the Easter season and so for 30 minutes each week, in between various classes offered we have an informal service with singing, a devotional and prayer time.  The lady in charge of speakers texted me on Sunday when the "youth" group member she had hoped would do the devotional fell through. She asked if I would speak and mentioned leggings and a backpack.  I suppose so I would look youthful. I said yes to the speaking but no to the leggings.....they tend accentuate the cellulite.  My brother once commented that when women that weren't super skinny wore those you could see the "hail damage". 

Actually though if she wanted a speaker that acts youthful, she did pretty good.  I feel like a young person trapped in an old body most of the time. While I was speaking behind me they put the picture of me at 18 on the overhead with the caption What a Hottie!  Very funny! 

In the Bible Jesus talks about having the faith of a child.  Children are very genuine.They are completely open.  They reveal whatever is on their mind, and whatever is in their heart.  They don't talk about people behind their backs. They simply don't think to do that. They just say what they think.  That is how a childlike Christian soul should be.  When we see or hear something that shouldn't be, we should just speak our mind, directly and honestly.

I was at the park walking a couple of weeks ago and there was a man who was flying one of those remote control airplanes.  I couldn't keep my eyes off of it but after I tripped and almost fell twice I made myself watch in front of me.  Takes coordination to look up and walk at the same time. As I got closer I could see that the man was quite elderly.  I was impressed that someone his age was out enjoying the day.  As I got close enough to talk to him I asked him about his hobby. He said that he had always wanted to be a pilot...but that life hadn't gone as planned.  That his wife had passed away last year and that he could barely bring himself to walk to the mailbox.  One of  his grandsons had given him the airplane for Christmas.  He had finally gotten around to trying it and now flew it every chance he got. He was all lit up like a kid with a new toy as he was talking about it. And it really drove home the point to me that you are never too old to have fun.

Last week at work we announced that we were going to have an Easter Egg hunt for the staff on Monday.  The moans and groans were numerous. Thats stupid, one nurse said.  Another said "I don't want to hunt eggs outside, what if someone sees us.  Why not just give us a gift card, said another.  But Monday morning at 8 a.m. there was not a single employee that wasn't off and running as soon as we said Go!  The 74 year old Chaplain about knocked over several staff members trying to get to the eggs first.  And when two people reached for a prize egg at the same time it could have gotten nasty!  Suddenly they were all caught up in that childllike exuberance.  No one really cared if anyone saw them and wondered what a bunch of old people were doing running around picking up eggs.

We are never too old to have that spirit of a child.  A child doesn't care if they look silly or foolish.  Sometimes we grown ups get so caught up in how we think others see us that we become kind of stale.

One of my favorite persons is a lady named Rita at Church. I think she is 92. She has the energy of someone 1/2 her age. I half expect her to ride up on a harley some Sunday. She is living proof that you are never too old to serve the Lord. Years ago I taught a weight loss class at Church. Rita joined. She was probably in her 80's then. I was so impressed. And inspired.  I don't know about you but if I make it to my 80's I am going to eat cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner!  I certainly won't be dieting!

This week is Holy Week.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the wonder of it all, try to remember what it was like as a child to be totally captivated by the things around you. Childlike faith, Youthful exuberance at the wonder of it all.

I walked again on Sunday and it was a little warm outside.I walked at Robinson park which is close to home. They have recently put a splash pad there and so there are always a lot of kids and their moms there.When I got through walking I was hot and so I went over to the splash pad and stood under the sprinkler.  I heard a little girl exclaim "look mama, that old lady's in the fountain".. The mom was mortified and started apologizing.  Its fine I tod her. To the litte girl I said "I may look old but I'm just a big kid".  As I was leaving there was a big mud puddle that had formed from the sprinkler run off. I turned around to make sure the little girl was looking and I jumped into the puddle splashing mud everywhere.  The little girl burst out laughing. Her mom was on her cell phone and had probably already dialed 9 1 and had her finger on the 1. Lunatic old lady in park scaring the children.  I got into my car and headed home.

One of my favorite songs as a kid was Jesus love the Little children of the World.  So I have added a verse.
Birth to age one hundred one, you're never too old to have some fun, Jesus loves the little children (and those of us who act like children) of the world.

HOPPY Easter!!