Flourishing.

Just as children flourish by growing up into adults, so adults flourish by cultivating childlikeness, avoiding the spiritual hardening of the arteries that comes with competence and experience. Andy Crouch 

I underlined this sentence in Andy's book, Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, a couple of days ago and can't seem to shake it. 

I think he's right. 

Here's a few reasons that come to my mind: 

1- Jack, this happy little guy in the photo above. Childlikeness is playing hard and swinging high with big smiles. It is unreserved singing as you play songs on the piano (yes, Jack is also one of my piano students). It's laughter and giggles; worry-free fun. 

2- Hannah, a sweet 2 year old I was blessed to spend the weekend with. Childlikeness is being secure with "MY daddy" (just making sure we got the message). It is knowing that if you want to try something new, there will be hand to hold on to. If you get tired, there are shoulders to ride on. If you are wanting to talk over and over about the same thing, someone will listen to you. (cuz... cuz...) It's a sweet relationship with the one who loves us. 

3- Natalie, my daughter, a thriving teenager. Childlikeness is learning; even when it's not your favorite subject. Can anyone say Social Studies? It's sticking with it and persevering through the generals and battles when sitting on the couch and watching Sponge Bob sounds a lot more appealing. It's loving others first. Making friends without waiting for others to notice you are the new kid in the room. 

How quickly we grow up and become comfortable. As if we've accomplished something and now can coast through life on our experiences. If we aren't intentional, we get stuffy, boring, and responsible. Bleh.

Living our best lives means reclaiming childlikeness and the original design of our lives. Freedom. Fun. Sweetness. Courage. Love. 

I think YOUR daddy takes great pleasure when we do. 

But the closer I am to You, my God, the better; because life with You is good. Psalm 73:28