Kids are wonderful gifts, at least most of the time! I found myself learning fresh lessons from Tobias last night.
You would enjoy Tobias. He is three years old. He loves adventure within his space. He enjoys exploring, examining what nature produces (sticks, stones, fruit-pits, etc.) and sharing life with those around him. I stumbled into Tobias’ space and found myself in a wonderful world of seeing the exciting ridges of an apricot pit, finding new curves in a river rock, and “fighting” over a chocolate “cow” cookie. As we played on I also found myself in a world of peace, relationship, and the present.
It was later, as I went to leave, that I found myself breaking through his boundaries. I felt the trauma of separation which Tobias could not articulate. I reengaged in sharing the experience of enjoying the present and watched the bond returned.
“Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.” (Proverbs 22.27)
As we played I talked about all the things we could do tomorrow. Our eyes lit up together as we anticipated future experiences that were like the present but even more and better! We knew what it could be like tomorrow as we stayed in the present. Hope only reinforced the joy of the immediate.
As I left the second time everything was different. The twinkle in Tobias’ eye remained. The smile was present and the engagement with life real. I know our fun together was come again and I can’t wait!
You and I were created to be in relationship with the Divine. We carry a thirst within to know, experience, and live in the present with God. We are no more able to live without God and survive than we can create our own peace and happiness. When we search for the God within we are beyond our created boundaries. Life is for living! Life can be awesome. It can also be the first step to a “forever” walk with God. The opportunity is found only in the present. Take it!
