The Inner Child

I did something pretty neat last night. It was a beautiful evening and I was bored at home, so I went for a walk around 8:00. I walked to the local elementary school and headed towards the playground. There in front of me was a row of swings, just waiting to be used, but wait - there were two other adults swinging at one end of the row. So why can't I? I found my inner child, the child that used to fit comfortably on the swing set and escaped from the world. I find that child again and parked myself on one of the swings, took hold of the chains and took an amazing ride.

For what seemed like forever, I leaned and stretched, I pulled and pushed. I was flying in the sky and did not have a care in the world. I was like a child who could not be stopped. My feet were touching the clouds (even though there weren't any) and my stomach was going topsy tervy. It felt innocent and harmless. It felt great. It felt free.

²³⁴⁵Matthew 18: 1-5 says this: "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

To have the innocence of a child, the hopes and the trust that lie in their hearts, is the most rewarding feeling. That is what Jesus was talking about. We need to have the hopes, the trust, and the faith of a child or else we won't be able to live. It doesn't hurt to be humbled as well.

I was able to witness not only my own inner child come out but actual children enjoying the evening as well. Three little girls, all from different backgrounds, were playing on the jungle gym. They each carried a little lantern that shined just enough light to make the evening magical. It did not matter where they came from or who they looked like - it matter that they enjoyed the time they had together.

As adults, that is all we need. a little lantern and a little child in all of us that can come out and play, to enjoy precious moments that can be few and far between. Take a minute, or even 30, to escape the world and be like a child. There's no better feeling in the world.

PS - to the two friends who called last night, thank you for being lanterns for me and hearing my voice.