March 1 – “Guarding Millie”

One of the great things about being in the presence of grandkids that we don’t see very much is the opportunity to be invited into the wonderful world of their imaginative play.  Zak and Caleb are very much into Star Wars right now.  In fact we got to be a part of Caleb’s rite of passage of watching The Empire Strikes Back for the very first time.  That of course led to them getting out their Star Wars spacecraft and lots of little tiny Star Wars action figures.  Zak and Caleb took turns filling in the blanks of what was about to happen before each battle became a reality with the figures.  My fascination with the story line must have been evident, because Zak felt it necessary to inform me that they were making up an episode of Star Wars that had never before been seen.  Caleb added, “Yeah, DadDad.  It’s Episode 100.”  They were right.  I did miss that one.

We also got to go to Caleb’s basketball practice.  He was the youngest one on his team, the sole preschooler on a team full of kindergarteners.  It has been a long season, so he’s pretty much done with basketball.  He did some have flashes of inspirational play, though.  There was also a group of older kids practicing on the other court.  They were out of control.  The college kid coaching them looked like he had little or no experience, but hey, at least he was out there.  Almost made me miss coaching.  Almost.   Once Caleb was assigned to guard Millie, the cute little girl on their team.  He had already told us about her birthday party that he had been invited to that was coming up.  Now Caleb likes to play defense, so he screwed on his game face with a snarl, put his arms out to the side, palms up, crouched low, and sidled up to stay with her.  She paused a second or two, then reached out and gave him a big hug.  He reciprocated.  Those girls.  So much for defense.  I think that was one of their set plays for the games.  After all, who can resist a hug from a cute girl?  There had to be a spiritual lesson of sorts, though.  Maybe this one …

Matthew 5:43-48 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

Father, help us learn from the antics of children.  They have a lot to say.  Amen.