Watching the small kids run around the Okura Hotel lobby in Tokyo was a treat. The austere cavern of a lobby is normally decorated with a strong minimalist feel. Stark Danish furniture of the ‘60s is sparingly laid out in an immense space by any cultural standards. A Japanese flower arrangement that towers above most people that stop to reflect on where life is taking them dominates the entrance. Everything about this place speaks on old money, past heydays, and protocol.
In the middle of this are two young kids. Clearly the grandparents are waiting on the children’s parents, and it is unclear if they are on-time or very late. Children being children are running, chatting with each other, and making the best of what would otherwise be a pretty quiet situation.
As I sat off to the side, I could easily see how some of the hotel guests were getting impatient and somewhat annoyed. Their thoughts were plain and clear!
“Who let the terrible kids run free like this?”
“Don’t their parents have any manners?”
“Why can’t they control these terrors?”
“Shouldn’t the hotel do something about this?”
“Can’t they be quiet!?”
As they ran to, from, and around their grandparents the pride the shown on the grandparents faces were clear for all to see. There was not a shred of embarrassment in those eyes and smiles! The kid’s hearts were out for anyone to see. Kid’s hugs flew out free and wild as they raced through the corner of their grandparent’s space. Smiles were easily tossed and given away to anyone willing to look their way. Laughter began to cheer even the hardest and most depressed soul in the building. Even the hotel staff began to give away smiles!
“Young people eventually reveal by their actions if they motives are on the up and up.” (Proverbs 20.11)
Life is serious business, especially when it comes to people’s hearts. Two kids taught the rest of us just how serious giving away things for other people’s heart can be. Today it is going to be me.
