A couple of weeks ago I wrote about
stress management. That was really a useful subject for me this week. I don't
even feel like explaining the events of this week, so let's just say that it's
been a really tough week. Despite the struggles of the week, I have still felt
God's love and grace. Even though I have felt like the world is crumbling
around me, God had used some of those experiences to show me that he is walking
with me through all of those stressful times in my life. He has also placed
people in my life who love me and walk with me through all of life's storms.
Even though this is not the subject of my blog I want to take a second to say
that I appreciate that God has placed such supportive people in my life (my
husband, my mom, my best friend I am VERY VERY VERY grateful for you guys and I
thank God for you guys everyday:)
Okay, let me get back on topic. Even
though this week was awful, today was a good day. After the week I had, I woke
up feeling like I could not face the day. I remember praying for God to help me
get through. My dog died last night and I was having one of those days where I
just did not want to be home alone all day. My best friend called, and asked me
to hang out with her and her four year old son.
We ended up taking him to the park.
We spent a lot of the day playing with her son. We even swung on the swings. We
threw a beach ball to each other. (Even though my friend's son doesn’t quite
understand the concept of throwing and catching in that he throws the ball wherever,
we still had lots of fun!) We even sat on a blanket and looked at the clouds
and pointed out what each cloud looked like. All of these activities made the
burdens of the week feel lighter. I realized how much play can alleviate
stress.
When I got home I wondered why
playing helped to calm me down, then it began to make sense. Playing is one way
to make you rekindle your childlike spirit. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said "Truly
I say unto you, unless you turn around and become like little children, you
will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven." When I look at
children, I am amazed at their faith. As, adults, our cynical minds often tell
us that we need proof, proof of God's love ,proof of God's presence etc. , but
once children understand God's love, they don't need proof, they just accept
his love for them. I am also amazed at their appreciation for the simple things
in life. As adults, we sometimes feel like we need this item or that item to
make us happy, but children for the most part enjoy simplicity. It amazes me
when I see I child put down an expensive toy so that he can play with a box or
when a child gets extremely excited because she saw a butterfly or flower in
the yard. Children are mostly carefree, and worry free, they know that their
needs will be met. God wants us to have the same mentality. He wants us to understand
that no matter how trying and difficult our life may be at the, he will take
care of us. He wants you to "Cast all your worries on him because he cares
for you." 1 Peter 5:7.
I want to encourage you to rekindle your "inner
child." Remember an activity you used to enjoy as a child and do it. Spend
some time playing with your children, or if you don’t have your own children
maybe a child that you mentor or one that is in your life. I encourage you to
ask God to show you to love him with all of your heart. Ask God to give you a childlike
faith.
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