Summer Comfort: Playfulness

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

Have you ever worked on an arts and crafts project with a  young child? When little children are left to create on their own they are often unconcerned with the final product.  Think of finger paint, glitter and glue!   While teachers are busy reminding children to just use what they need, children are watching glue pool across their construction paper with joy.  Adults just don’t get it!  

When my now grown son was a preschooler I dreaded going into any store with TV’s, computers or anything with buttons.  He wanted to touch every button.  “Mom,” he explained, “You don’t understand.  That’s what buttons are for – pushing!”  He experienced joy just pushing all the buttons regardless of the outcome.  It was about the process.

In her book The Power of Fun, Catherine Price defines play as free and lighthearted.  Emphasizing that it is not outcome based but instead focused on the process. Somewhere along the line we start to lose this ability to enjoy creative play without fear of judgment or concern for the outcome. 

God created us so that we can find pleasure in work and in play!  Doing either in exclusion of the other isn’t a great idea.  However, I certainly need more reminders to intentionally engage in play than to get to work.  Perhaps you do as well!  Additionally, play is an important key in our spiritual growth and healing.  Being able to engage in something fun or relaxing without fear of judgment brings hope and health into our lives! 

God, we want to be engaged in your world with joy!  Thank you for your playful and beautiful creation.   May we share your gracious spirit with others. AMEN

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Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

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