childhood, taxes and birds

I miss being a child.

I remember when my greatest concern was whether or not I would be permitted to go outside. If I was stuck inside, I would manage to make the best of my day (speeding down the stairs in a pillowcase was one of my favorite sports), but I would much rather be outdoors where I could climb trees, sing to the animals, make tunnels through tall weeds, and dig in the dirt. How wonderful it was to have a mind untouched by the rules, voices and cares of this world.

Somewhere along the way, life got complicated.

Paying bills, doing taxes, working to pay bills and do taxes, budgeting, responsibilities here, commitments there, keeping one eye on the presidential campaign while keeping the other on gas prices. Granted, these things are all a part of this vapor of life on earth, but how I often long to toss my inhibitions aside and forget every concern. For those cares tend to wrap me up and rob me of the simplicity of faith.

I am awed by the way Jesus illustrated the Kingdom of God and its inheritors. He didn't point to the educated, the powerful, the greatly influential, or the wealthy. He pointed to birds, flowers and children. None of which have an impression to make, a reputation to withhold or a status to achieve. Self-righteous cities could not comprehend this, and Jesus gave thanks. (Mat. 11:25)

If my life had a theme song, I think it would be "Gideon" by Jason Upton...

I don't have the power,
I don't even have a clue.
I don't know all the answers,
I don't even know a few.

And if I were really honest,
And the truth were known of me,
It may sound a little funny,
But this is what my prayer would be...

I don't know what to do,
But my eyes are You.

Much of the time, I feel like a tongue-tied fool who has little to offer, and I certainly don't have the answers for many things even in my own life - but I do know how to look to my Father and that's all I need. Praise God, I don't have to figure everything out! What a pressure-lift in the midst of a super-driven culture that wants to demystify everything. It is the simple trusting ones whom He uses to destroy the influence of evil over men's lives. Those who just trust as they walk through life. They go through the fire, and they're singing.

That's who I want to be.