My kids have a lot to teach me about faith. My youngest in particular is fearless in his faith. He will throw him off the couch, stairs, etc. without hesitation if Dad is there to catch him. His confidence is un-wavering, and while that is sometimes scary- I better be there ready to catch him every time, it is refreshing to see him so trusting.
I was watching a Mickey and the Beanstalk with him the other week and, for those of you haven’t seen it, it opens with a duck (Donald?) telling his companion a cricket (Jimeny?) about fairy tales. As he recounts each tale; with the disclaimer that they are just figamintations of the imagination, the cricket exclaims, “I believe it!” Again I was struck with how faith comes so easily kids.
I think that when we ascribe the faith of a child to their naivety we do them and ourselves a disservice. I’m not saying that kids aren’t naïve; rather what I am saying is that their faith springs from something else. Life hasn’t disappointed them, they haven’t been let down so that’s part of it, but there is something more too. Little kids have very little self consciousness; they don’t weigh out how a particular act will make them appear in the eyes of their peers. Sure, they understand when they are acting goofy they can get a laugh or sad and can get some sympathy, but they don’t do “cool”. That is to say, coolness isn’t a motivating factor in their decision making process and as such has no impact on their faith. That is why they give hugs and kisses freely now, but don’t try for much more than a hi-five when you go to drop them off at their friends as teenagers.
To bring all this stream of consciousness back around: I think there is much to be learned from kids in regards to faith. As a Dad, I will try to take more advantage of the little lessons my kids teach me, and do everything I can foster that faith beyond their childhood years and into their adult lives.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Forcing it at First
Winter is setting in Alaska, forcing the temperature below zero, forcing the moisture out of the air, and forcing endless hours of darkness across the landscape. As I reflected on this the other day, I realized that the desolation stretched across more than just the wintry drifts of the frozen north. Winter has set in on me too; work, school, hobbies, and other commitments have forced Christ into a corner of my life- and I let them.
The long hard winters of Alaska have an effect on all who live here, an affect commonly referred to as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It affects each person in different ways and to different extents but, studies show there are ways to combat its effects. Forcing yourself to continue doing the things you enjoyed all summer long like exercise, being outside (for short periods of time given the sub-zero temps), and forcing yourself to go out and socialize rather than secluding yourself when the snow starts flying are all recommended to counteract the effects of SAD. Once you get through the first few weeks of disciplining yourself to go to the gym, get fresh air, and not use the weather as an excuse to sit around the house all day, it becomes a routine and you hardly notice the contributing factors of SAD and in effect become GLAD (Giving Life A Direction- Note: I made this term up and it is in no way based on any medical research).
In light of this research, and for the sake of the extension of this parallel; I am going to start doing much the same in my spiritual life. While I may have to force it at first (much like I had to force myself to sit down and write this 1st post back in 6 months), I hope that I will once again push through the spiritual SAD and become spiritually GLAD.
SIDEBAR: This was indeed a difficult post to write, admitting to yourself that you are not giving Christ the proper priority in life is not easy. Also, interchanging affect and effect while maintaining the proper usages for both is no joke, I'm not sure I got it 100% correct but I think I am in the ball park at least:)
Also, I don't think I have SAD (not much of it anyways), I do have sleepy though. I guess now is the time to catch up on all the sleep I skipped during the 24 hour daylight of summer.
The long hard winters of Alaska have an effect on all who live here, an affect commonly referred to as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It affects each person in different ways and to different extents but, studies show there are ways to combat its effects. Forcing yourself to continue doing the things you enjoyed all summer long like exercise, being outside (for short periods of time given the sub-zero temps), and forcing yourself to go out and socialize rather than secluding yourself when the snow starts flying are all recommended to counteract the effects of SAD. Once you get through the first few weeks of disciplining yourself to go to the gym, get fresh air, and not use the weather as an excuse to sit around the house all day, it becomes a routine and you hardly notice the contributing factors of SAD and in effect become GLAD (Giving Life A Direction- Note: I made this term up and it is in no way based on any medical research).
In light of this research, and for the sake of the extension of this parallel; I am going to start doing much the same in my spiritual life. While I may have to force it at first (much like I had to force myself to sit down and write this 1st post back in 6 months), I hope that I will once again push through the spiritual SAD and become spiritually GLAD.
SIDEBAR: This was indeed a difficult post to write, admitting to yourself that you are not giving Christ the proper priority in life is not easy. Also, interchanging affect and effect while maintaining the proper usages for both is no joke, I'm not sure I got it 100% correct but I think I am in the ball park at least:)
Also, I don't think I have SAD (not much of it anyways), I do have sleepy though. I guess now is the time to catch up on all the sleep I skipped during the 24 hour daylight of summer.
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