Bob's Blog

Seeing the world through the eyes of a child has the capacity to change everything!

It had been a long week, and all I really wanted to do was hold the tiny hands of my granddaughter!  I wanted play peek-a-boo, read “Good Night Moon,” and squirt whipped cream into her tiny mouth.

Like so many of us, I too want to leave my mark on the world.  I want my life to count for something, and I want to make a difference . . . for God’s sake!  I want to model what it means for one spouse to love another spouse unconditionally.  I want to raise children who are passionate and COMpassionate, who aren’t afraid to dream and stand up for what is right, and who are responsible and healthy contributors to society.  I want to pastor people and serve the church as the constitution of my denominations says . . . “with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.”  I want my voice to be prophetic.  I want my heart to remain open.  And I never want my mind to stop growing.

But sometimes I get tired.  And so in those moments I need to stop and learn to put my agenda on the back burner for a while.  I need to put aside my goal of ushering in the reign of God all by myself! – and slow down.  I need to see the world through the eyes of my granddaughter, and return to some of the simple things in this life!  I need to go Butler’s Orchard and feed the goats!  I need to ride the carousel at the zoo.  And yes, I need to squirt whipped cream into my own mouth, and smile!

Whether running through a field holding the hand of someone they love, gazing out at a garden of sunflowers on a glorious October morning, or spotting a pumpkin patch from the back of an old red pickup, children have the capacity to change our perspective and offer us a healthier view of life.  They ground us, and remind us of the simple joys of life!  So when weeks become long, feet get tired, and spirits are low, it’s time to stop and see the world through the eyes of a child.  It’s time to appreciate the little things.  It’s time to breathe in the cool fall air, hear the rustle of the falling leaves, and notice the changing colors of the of trees.

Fall is the perfect time to see the world through the eyes of a child, and to appreciate the little things.  And today, that means worrying less about changing the world, and focusing instead on enjoying the world!