Day 18: Playfulness
A child sits patiently
assembling her blocks,
not once to another
their tower, she mocks.
She stacks one upon one
with an ever growing grin,
as her little hands work
the tower’s height begins.
With a bit of hope
fed by effortless faith,
she builds and builds
with no worry of fate.
For her work
she knows is not in vain;
if it falls, she simply
will build it up again.
At the height of her effort
into chaos, blocks tumble;
disorder tickles the heart,
greeting delight in the crumble.
Not one single tear
falls from her eyes;
for she knows in His hands
attempt’s destiny lies.
She will continue to build
for the simple joy of service,
and the grace to fulfill
from Him forever furnished.
Before you begin your day:
Think for a moment about the things on your to-do list today. Work? Home? Errands? Chores? Kids? Meetings?
Play?
Play is defined many ways; let's examine a few:
(verb) to engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose;
(noun) an activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children; and my favorite,
the space in or through which a mechanism can or does move.
How would you approach the items of today if you engaged in them for enjoyment rather than a serious or practical purpose? Do you think the result would change?
How would your outlook of anticipated tasks transform if deemed: activities engaged in for child-like recreation? Would you order them in a particular way? Would you anticipate the next on your list with gratification?
I know what you're thinking, easier said than done. I have fifteen tasks today, and I only desire to complete one - maybe! But, let's move to my favorite definition - the space in or through which a mechanism can or does move.
What if for today we allow a little space in our to-do list. Could you move through this space with playfulness? First, the space between duties? Next, through the responsibility itself?
God longs for you to move through any day with His playful spirit accompanying. Let Him create within space. Allow the Holy Spirit to become the instrument (mechanism) that runs throughout. Spend a few minutes here. Picture God being playful.
Choose a word or words from the poem above - what is He saying to you? How does the Holy Spirit want to fill this space now created with playfulness? Keep your word(s) with you today. Anytime you feel overwhelmed by a task(s), look at it and hear God:
At the height of your effort
into chaos, blocks may tumble;
let disorder tickle the heart,
greet delight in the crumble.
Let not one single tear
fall from your eyes;
my child, know into My hands
your attempt’s destiny lies.
During your day:
...be filled with the Spirit,
(19) addressing one another [in] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,
giving thanks always and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
(Ephesians 5: 18-20)
Matthew 18: 3; Galatians 5: 22-23; Luke 22: 26; Zephaniah 3: 17
Throughout your day:
INHALE: Create in me a space.
EXHALE: Fill me with your playful Spirit.
(repeat as many times as needed)
Before you end your day:
...do not worry about what to say
or how to say it,
You will be given what to say,
for it will not be you speaking,
but the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you.
Jesus said, Let these little children
come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs
to such as these.
(Matthew 10: 19-20; 19: 14)
Amen.
Goodnight; sleep well; know you are blessed.
