the art of being a child

 

“When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”  C.S. Lewis

Everyone I speak to always seems to be in a rush. Whether it is a rush to get to the next “more exciting” moment of their life or just in a hurry to get out of their 4^th period class, one thing is for sure, we as humans never seem to be content and satisfied where we are now. We strive to be “grown up,” and to have “control,” but in doing this we seem to overlook the astounding joy it is to be a child.  

At the mere talk of childlike behaviors we cringe up and deny any part of ourselves that has those traits. We throw away all ideas and dreams that come across as young or naive.

But by doing these things we are destroying the innocence and beauty that comes with being a child of God. God even says in his scripture to have faith as that of a child. That kind of faith is beautiful and the type worth striving for, that unaltered belief comes with the most perfect life He has for us.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not perfect with this, in the least, in fact I struggle with this just as much as the next person (probably even more), I am constantly striving to move on to something greater, and to grow up.  But I have found, through conversations and searching, if we continually have our focus on upcoming unforeseen moments we become blind to what is staring us right in the face, screaming out with heart wrenching possibilities.  

I firmly believe that God has us where we are for a HUGE purpose if we would simply open up our eyes and see it. Every time we overlook what is going on all around us for an over the top imaginative reality we shut the door on all that could be, we shut the door on the best reality He has set out for us.

As of lately, I have noticed that in place of living out my own life, I spend my days and nights dreaming and manipulating what I think would be the ideal way my life could turn out. I found myself turning into the mapmaker of my own life, in place of the One who alone has the control of that, someone who is yearning for me to hand it over to Him, completely. 
Now, I am not saying that dreaming is a bad thing at all, but when it consumes your thoughts and blocks you of the actuality that is your life, that is when it can get destructive.

So, dream and desire things but with the right heart and with the right purpose. Bring back all that you have stashed underneath your bed that seemed to be too childish. 

Read fairy tales.

Play games.

Laugh.

Be, fully, in whatever moment that surrounds you.

Have faith as that of a child.