Thank you for mud puddles.

"That child is the self through whom we have access to the vitality and youthfulness of God. She or he is the one who reflects the creativity, sensitivity, and vibrant imagination of the Love which is our maker and mother." Martin L Smith


Years ago when I was first starting in recovery from addiction, one of the models for healing was getting to know your "inner child".  For some, this was a crazy idea, and for others they were unable to ever balance the adult and the child.  It was a very helpful and important tool in healing for me. Having compassion for myself and learning what self-care and support were supposed to look like really became possible when I was able to use the image of  that child. 

I remember vividly picturing a young girl, with long braids, overalls and bright red high top converse sneakers.  Imagining her on this piece of property my family owned years ago on Keaser Lake in Lovell, Maine was wonderful.  It was quiet there, peaceful and I can still see the light dancing off the water.  Meditations using this imagery were important times in developing my relationship with God.  It was time when I could step back, stop the noise in my head and feel God's presence. 

Why is the model so helpful?  As I write this I don't even like the language, model.  Why as adults do we let the spirit and authenticity of our child be in the past?  Why are we so determined that to be whole, to be successful, to be OK, we must be grown up? 

It is true and important that as adults we are required to maintain responsibilities that children do not.  We are expected to behave in certain ways that are socially acceptable.  This is fine and good.  But when we get to busy, when we let ourselves be taken over by the responsibilities of this life we have created, sometimes we forget how to breath.  Sometimes we forget the playful, creative nature that God placed in us and that God values so much. 

"Children have authority in the kingdom; they embody and communicate the vulnerability, the openness, the elan, the reaching out for life of God's Spirit."  Martin Smith

Today is a day of restlessness, expectancy, and the knowledge of change on the horizon.  Childlike curiosity and joy are blessings that are within our grasp.  The openness and love of the child within each of us longs for our attention.  We must not negate that part of ourselves as not important, not serious enough, not of value.  It is that part of ourselves that can best help us see and experience the mystery and beauty of our lives, it is that part of ourselves that can help us rejoice in the everyday. 

Gracious God,  Thank you for this day.

Thank you for high top red sneakers.

Thank you for braids that were sometimes to tight.

Thank you for the gift of playfulness,

for curiosity,

for laughter,

for mud puddles,

for marbles and street chalk.

Thank you for jump ropes.

Thank you for bikes.

Gracious God, Thank you for the child within each of us

that longs for your love and knows it far better than we

do on most days. 

Thank you for the patience that child has with us as we move

through our busy and important lives.

Thank you for the playfullness, creativity and joy that is your

spirit living through us. 

Gracious God, help me to rejoice in the childlike nature that is

within me. 

Amen.