We spend a great deal of time and energy helping our
children grow beyond childish behavior and ideas. And rightfully so. After all,
we want them to mature, emotionally and relationally, as they approach
adulthood. But is there any way in which we should encourage them to remain
like little children – and even strive for that ourselves?
In matters of faith, of course, Jesus reminds us in each of
the Gospels (i.e., Matthew 18.3) to trust Him as little children. And another
way in which we should be child-like (not childish) is in terms of the genius
quality of vitality.
“Vitality” in this context means, “being awake to one’s
senses and totally and immediately responsive.” And little children – babies,
toddlers, and preschoolers – are truly the ideal models of this trait. They immediately
and quite naturally respond to what impacts their senses, and they demonstrate
an innate desire to explore what they see, hear, smell, touch, and taste.
The precious two-year old I babysit personifies this. She’s
on the go from the moment she walks into my house each morning until her mom
picks her up before lunch. First, she hurries to find my cats so she can pet
them, and then she’s off to our playroom to see what new toys I’ve set out for
the day. From there, she chooses one thing or another throughout the morning –
sometimes the toy food and dishes, other times the puzzles or Little People,
and always the books – rotating among them as her interests lead. When we go
outside, she alternately revels in the wind on her face as we push her on a swing,
becomes engrossed in sandbox digging, or embarks on a mission to collect sticks
and leaves. We don’t need to instruct her to be interested in everything around
her; she just is.
Sadly, too many children lose such vitality as they get
older, and it’s exceedingly rare to find it in adults. Instead, we become so
consumed with busy schedules and completing “important” tasks that we dismiss
many natural opportunities to discover and learn. We allow ourselves to become
“human doings.”
And that’s really a terrible infection. Of course, working
productively is important. But if we – or our children – live on a treadmill of
busy-ness, we hurry through each day without enjoying anything. We become
overtired and overwrought. We lose our ability to think creatively and to
treasure simple pleasures.
The antidote is time. We need to choose to make time in our
lives – and in the lives of our children – to be like toddlers. Time to set
aside the to-do list. Time, in fact, when we needn’t “do” anything in particular.
Time to watch, think, and feel.
We don’t dismiss our need to accomplish our work – whatever
it is. We simply acknowledge that, in order to be vital human beings, we also
need time to just “be.” Striking the balance can be tricky. But it’s necessary
for our well being and for that of the kids in our care.
CK
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