Dear Family,
As the fall season is upon us, I have been reflecting on a whirlwind of a summer. God has kept me both busy and refreshed. He has allowed me to be used in many different capacities so that I am continually learning and applying that new knowledge. One of the biggest things the Lord has taught me this summer is the redemptive and bonding power of play. One of the books I spent time with in the heat was Taking It to the Streets: Using the Arts to Transform Your Communityby J. Nathan Corbittand Vivian Nix-Early. This book forced me to look at the way I view playing, whether it be swinging on the swing set with a group of kids or pretending to be an octopus while a cast of crabs is attacking me (kids have amazing imaginations). I now have a renewed respect for all people in the child-care profession.
The redemptive power of play has been essential to my learning, especially during the two weeks I spent at Harmony Heart Camp. While there I assisted in the leading of games and other activities that can seem to be time fillers if not put in the proper context. These structured times of play allowed the participants to learn about creative problem solving, how to work together and most importantly that in all we do God should be glorified. God showed me that play can no longer be random activities scheduled simply as something to do, but as redemptive time in which kids can be kids and teens can be together innocently and adults can dust off their imagination and worship God in a new way.
I have known for a long time that through play people can form bonds that would not have happened otherwise. At camp I saw this happen multiple times. A leader and a couple of kids would go out on a canoe together and once their feet were on solid ground their was a new respect and relationship between them. I saw the same thing happen in capture the flag, by working together relationships and trust were ignited, and strengthened.
Sometimes I think I am to old to play silly games, I wonder what others will think as I roll in the grass while two little crabs attack the octopus that has invaded their home, and than I think, “Who cares.” The Lord is being glorified, two boys are learning to play together and I am bonded to with two tough four-year-olds. As the leaves begin to change I am praying for some fall play, leaves, football, maybe a place to go for a hayride. Please pray with me that God allows time in my schedule for as much redemptive and bonding play as He finds necessary.
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