Child's Play

I have to confess something. It shames me to admit this because no one would know just by looking at me. No one would suspect it if they had a conversation with me. In fact, they would think the opposite. I am fun, warm, and friendly, the type of person that gets along with everyone. I am not the person to expect this to be true of but it is.

Okay, the truth is (dramatic pause) - I don't like children. I mean, some of them are fun and cute, but most of them make me feel uncomfortable. I am just not real good at being around them. It hasn't always been like this and I may be exaggerating a little. I actually can't remember the last time that I was around young kids. This makes me sad. In high school and even college I was often babysitting or keeping the extended care at church. I even worked a summer with a church kids camp where I took care of a room full of 3 year olds. The summer after my freshman year of college, I went home to GA and was a nanny for two little girls. During that time I was very creative, coming up with games to play and crafts for the three of us to do together. We would go different places such as the movies and the park. People often asked if they were my daughters.

I got along with children just fine. In fact, I loved being around them. I wonder what happened.

Now when I get around children I tend to ignore them. They say funny things, if I can understand them. Adults act strange around them, talking in short sentences and saying things that don't make sense. Kids get away with things that adults just can't do. There are countless times when a child just stares at a person. Don't they know that staring is rude? They also may yell in public places for absolutely no reason. I have a hard time dealing with their cries, whines, and high-pitched squeals. They always want to play.

This is coming from a person who works with teenagers and loves it! I understand that some people are not very fond of teens and I guess I can understand. It is hard to know what they are saying when every other word out of their mouth is "like". They can also whine a lot but you can reason with them (most of the time). Their laughter and tears are so sincere at times. I can relate to their fears and joys. They too want to play a lot but then when they are serious, it is amazing what will come out of their mouths.

Of course, I am trying to change. I understand that one day I will get married (yea) and find myself with a child of my own. Also, I don't want to ignore children forever. I need some time to get use to kids again. I took a big step this morning.

I played with kids this morning at King's Club. This is a program of the Children's Ministry at Mission Waco. I participated in a similar program in college. Several volunteers show up at a local park in the inner city each Saturday morning. They hang out for an hour with the children in the neighborhood. There is usually a short Bible story told by one of the leaders and then a snack of lemonade and crackers are handed out. This morning was fun! One of the first little girls that we invited to come play with us wanted a piggy-back ride...on me. Without too much awkwardness I let her climb on my back as we headed back to the park. The majority of the time I stood with a bottle of bubbles. I can blow bubbles. I stood there with the wand in my hand and allowed several children to take turns blowing bubbles. Every now and then I blew the bubbles and they chased after them, popping them. It was good to laugh and see them so happy when I know many of their situations are sad, very sad.

I believe that there is so much to be learned from children. This is why I want to spend my Saturday mornings getting to know them. How do children function when the world around them has them trapped in poverty? What do they know of the system that keeps them from having what others have? I hope to grow to love kids. Jesus loved children and spoke often of imitating them. Yes, I really do want to learn what I can while I seek to love them completely.