Fences, Fun & Freedom

For Wednesday, April 4

Kids, you have to love watching little ones. I had to run to Prestonwood North to take Calvin something (more on that later) and I got to stop and watch the preschoolers just having a grand ol’ time on the playground. Laughter, smiles, and a whole lot of happiness. I then proceeded to go to Chik-fil-A and watched the kids on their play area as well. Before you call the police about a stalker, I was enjoying seeing life unencumbered by worries, politics, and constant barrage of vexing news. Kids just, well, had fun. The only thing that seemed to cause dismay was when grandma tried to get them to leave the play area to go home. I mean, who really ever wants to stop having fun. (It took forever to ever get Calvin out of the pool when we went swimming in his early days)

It reminded me of the study of playgrounds and fences. When there is a fence, kids will run and play in the entire area. They feel safe, know the limits, and take advantage of the entire play space. When there was no fence, kids had a tendency to huddle near the center, or around the teachers. They wanted to feel safe. It is interesting that we seem to feel free when we know the limitations.

Dawson McAllister once talked about productivity and motion in life using the illustration of a train. The train may look into the fields and think it would be great to be over there and hang out with the cows. It may think life would be better if he could just get off the tracks and go wherever he wanted. But to jump the tracks would bring disaster – a literal train wreck. But if the train learns to work within the guidelines of the tracks, it can move, explore, and fulfill the purpose for which it was created.

I think humans are like this. When we realize God knows what is best, that He sets guidelines for us, it is then we can truly reach the potential for which we were made. ((Okay, this is not about limiting the imagination or creativity of mankind, but to understand that the liberty God gives is not a liberty to do anything)) Maybe if we tried to live within His guidelines we would find real freedom. Do you feel life is kind of a train wreck? Maybe we’ve gotten away from the standard God has for us. Challenge: What areas do you need to give back to God and stop trying to do things your way?

POST SCRIPT THOUGHT – Calvin texted and requested some items to be taken to his workplace. Being the loving father who would do anything for his son, of course I helped. I mean, I drove to Taco Bell in a blizzard for dinner, what is a little work run. I thought of the requests we take to God. How He loves us. Now, He is not a magic lamp granting wishes (sorry Aladdin) but He does hear and loves us greatly. As it has been said – Pray Boldly, Pray Believing!