"Mom do we have to come in?” we used to cry as kids. “Can’t we stay out
and play some more? Just one more inning?” And of course the answer was
usually no, for this was not her first attempt, but her final at getting us in
for dinner, or to go to bed. “Can’t we stay out at least until it gets dark?”
And still it would take more than another request until someone else’s mother,
then their father called us in from the dark. We were kids, and our main
purpose in life was to play, and we spent all our waking moments trying to
fulfill our obligations to it. But unimportant things like school, homework,
dinner, and more homework were daily deterrents to achieving this goal. So any
excuse was a good excuse to want to stay out and play more. And the games we
played were simple. All it took was two gloves and a ball to play catch. Add a
third and we could play three way catch-not as much fun, or running bases.
Still simple enough, and fun. For football all it took was a ball, and two
people. Add a third and one would play defense-just like the pros. Not enough
kids for two teams in kickball, there was always flies up. And if an older
brother wanted to get involved, many summer nights were spent shagging fly balls
until it got too dark to see. All games that required two or three people, a
ball, maybe a glove, and the desire to have fun. We had no need to be
entertained, we entertained ourselves. Again, we had fun, and came home tired,
dirty, sweaty, and sometimes scraped up after contact with the pavement. We
were kids, did we really have to grow up?
Remember when a neighbor got a new TV, or a refrigerator? “Can we have the
box?” we would ask, and soon the empty box that sat in the front yard to
announce to the neighborhood of their recent big purchase was dragged down to
ours, and turned into a fort for playing cowboys and Indians. Or a pillbox to
defeat the Nazis playing war, and even a spaceship for going where no man had
gone before. It could become a race car, the possibilities endless, with only
our child like imaginations limiting our fun. Sometimes a simple stick could
make a serious rifle, a bigger stick a BAR. How many of us survived nearly
putting an eye out playing with them a swords? And when it came to bikes, how
many future collectible baseball cards gave up their collectability to serve as
noise for the spokes? Making us sound like a real motorcycle, the faster we
went, the louder, just like the real motorcycle most of us had never heard.
Performing gravity, and death defying leaps from the sidewalk curbs, we went
100mph in our minds. Add a little gravel, and we were soon skidding sideways,
wearing out our rear tires, long after we would run out of baseball cards. “Do
we have to come in? Can we stay out until dark? PLEEZ!” And off to the
bathtub we would go, then to bed. Exhausted, maybe a bit scraped up, and we
slept well-dreaming of the next neighbor and their new TV so we had a box to
play in, or the next afternoon after school, when all the stress of study
released us to the world of play once again.
Being home in the afternoons I miss the sound of kids playing. We have
kids in the neighborhood, but it seems that organized activities are now the
norm. Playing in safe environments, with no chance to play in boxes, they are
responsibly recycled, to stay out until dark, or to add horsepower to their
bikes via baseball cards. Now we save them, they may be collectible some day.
Bikes are not left in the driveway with fear of Dad backing over them, but
locked up behind locked doors. And all the fun we had outside is now inside,
where kids play video baseball, with the sound of crowds coming from the
Playstation. They are Ivan Stewart jumping their truck on a big screen TV, no
way you could ever play in the box that came in. And if more than two or three
boys are out playing catch, someone gets nervous and may call the police-what
are those boys doing? Are they a gang? Better keep an eye on them. But soon
some mother, if she happens to be home, and not at work, is hit with the
question,”do we have to go out? Can’t we stay in and finish our video game?”
Why, we might even get our Nike Airs dirty! Remember when no one wanted their
shoes to look like new? And as Mom sets the timer, and your friend’s mom comes
to get him, no one rides home a few blocks anymore, you wonder why kids are so
unhappy? Why do they dropout, when maybe they are forced out? School grounds
locked, guards in the hall, and signs saying “NO TRESPASSING!” everywhere. So
they retreat to the confines of their room, just them and a video game-no
gloves, balls, or bikes to be had. Don’t get sweaty, and please don’t get
dirty. Germs are everywhere. And fun isn’t.
So I like simple, and still do. A chance to exercise the body and mind.
To go places we want, as opposed to being controlled. And sadly, most of this
is about control. Not having to deal with the responsibility of raising kids,
just sending them off. With others to leagues, teams, and other scheduled
activities so we know where they are. So we can go out and play. Showing off
our new Nikes, to the others at the juice bar at the gym. No kids allowed, just
fun sucking adults. Would someone please buy a new refrigerator just so the
rest of us can have a space ship to play in? Can I buy one of your collectable
cards, just to add some horsepower to my spinning bike? Can I please go out
after school? Until dark?
The gospel is simple, so people like me can get it. Man sinned, Jesus came
to save us. He died on the cross, then went to heaven, leaving an empty tomb.
And if we believe with our heart, and confess with our mouth He is God, we can
too. One to one gospel, straight to the point. All Jesus and no filler. Yet
the church, us, has decided over its history to make things more difficult.
Like a country club, it has excluded those it feels are not worthy. Don’t
dress right, or aren’t religious enough. When you get as good as us, then you
can come in, and maybe join. If you’ll agree to tithe. So we all can see how
much you give, so we know how religious you really are. After all we have
standards...And do you really wonder why some say no when invited to church?
When Jesus warns of the rich man getting prominence in his seating, yet all week
tries to do the poor guy in by his laws? So many religions keep their flock
under control, just like their children, can’t let them explore Jesus for
themselves. That old time religion, it was good enough for Brother So and
So...it’s good enough for me. Yet neglect how unhappy Brother S and S was, how
hard it was keeping up with all the rules, and making sure he never missed a
meeting. And then along comes Jesus...
Promising freedom in the spirit, and upsetting the religious types.
Showing love rather than demanding it, He hung with hookers, junkies, and even
bikers. But also with kids, because kids are cool, and still had a desire for
life. They have imaginations, dreams, and desires not yet squashed by the
world. They have faith, and want to know the truth? Will you parent show
them? Can’t they stay out and play one more hour? Yet those in control, who
seek to control, are really out of control. They wouldn’t know what to do with
baseball cards and a bike. Playdough, I might get my hands dirty. Drawing,
without a laptop? Dad, can you put down your cell, I have some questions. Who
is this Jesus they talk of? Why can’t I go to church with my friends? They let
me play, and be a kid...I am a kid right?
So we are to come to Jesus as children. Seeking Him, and not more rules.
Not more controlled activities. Maybe just a couple of kids out playing catch.
With Jesus. One to one, just the thing we fear most. For there is a safety in
a crowd, and more to blame when we don’t get our way. Long after our words are
forgotten our actions will be remembered. Spend time with your kids today. Let
them be kids-it’s hard enough without your help. Play out on the field, maybe
get dirty. wind up the Schwinn and pedal your heart out, come home tired and
dirty. And happy. Be a kid. Jesus was one once too. He remembers, and wants
you to be one too. In Him. And you just may find you get to go to church,
rather than having to. “Mom, can I go Wednesday night?” And if you happen to
see an empty box out front, even better. It makes a great space ship, race car,
fort, or even an empty tomb. Jesus loves the little children, we never get old
if our hearts stay young. He was fun long before entertainment. Don’t grow up
today.
Or to quote Dennis the Menace, “not a bad party, I busted two balloons and
a window.” Life is for the living.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com