Sunday, October 11, 2009

Wowee! We are to come like little children...

Skipping rope, playing with dolls, sleeping with my velveteen rabbit, keeping my baby blanket close by... Do you ever wonder why women (usually) revert to girly things when they get older? I am considering getting a cd player/radio to go in my closet for my praise and worship music when I am having prayer closet time, and I remembered that Target had one last time I looked... a REALLY long time ago, that was Hello Kitty. It was pink and cute and had a big Hello Kitty on the front. Why would I want that? I am a grown up, right? Somewhat, but that little girl is still in there and she never had the time to properly get princessed as a child. I think there is a part of her that is still longing to get all of the things that she wanted when she was little that would make her feel beautiful, precious, and sweet, now instead of never. So often children in our culture are not celebrated enough. Now, it is different when we are talking about purchasing all the cool gadgets or making sure the house is big and all of that. That is not at all what I am talking about. what we give to our children as true gifts are gifts of imagination, love, touch, compassion, responsibility, and trust. When we hold our children accountable for their actions and responsible for their behavior, their possessions, and their areas, we are telling them that we have faith in their abilities. When they do what they are expected to do, it breeds self confidence. When they can handle a bad day, when they can take care of a pet, when they can honestly admit they did something wrong, and we point out the fact that they are growing into strong oaks of righteousness or mighty towers for the Lord, they are recognizing the mystery of wonderness in themselves. They are realizing that they are capable. Capable to play using their imagination instead of a video game. These are the true gifts.
Speaking with some dear friends today, we were discussing the choices we'd made out of lonely broken hearts, and how we operated out of a desperation for anything that remotely looked like family or community. That leads people at least to make poor choices, but even worse, to cults and gangs.
I think that when we girls have the chance to fall back in love with pink frilly underwear or a soft cuddly blanket, we should do it. Our baby girls in our hearts will dance with joy.
I love you all. Have a blessed week.