My Diary: Slurping Popsicles

*Written 1/13/2016

The great burst of 365 days which we have packed into the word year, catapults out and beyond ourselves with such colossal acceleration that it is a wonder if we can catch a glimpse of its silhouette. It seems as though nine-years-old is the last age time operates at the appropriate gauge—how thrilling when innocence would snack on ticking hands of clocks as if devouring a sharp-cold popsicle in summertime.

It is in summertime that children sit on curbs and carelessly swing snow-white sneakers above baking concrete streets. It is the children who allow tiny globs of sweat to swell on their temples until gravity pulls the glistening spheres into free-fall splats. It is the children that invite the pulsating tangerine sun to sting their shoulders with slow intensity.  It is the children who stare amazed at their masterful creations of runny green and red popsicle slush melting in the sun.  All the while, parents and other old adults jerk, twitch and convulse, oblivious to the beauty amidst—their minds fixated on deadlines and eyes beaming lifelessly at ticking watches.

Time still ticks regardless of position and deep nostalgia hits the gut hard when you realize yet another year has elapsed. Gazing at January with motherly eyes, I greet her comfortably and knowingly—she is the same as always yet this time more invitingly green and extra dewy.  January will only be once in 2016—grab her with intention and she will lead you into February who will pass you to March and so on.  Time is forgiving and rather lenient if you live intently, the funny thing is: sometimes living intently means to live childlike, which can be challenging for a responsible adult.

Isn’t it peculiar how children have no concept of the measurement of time? A child has no desire to know what time it is, they are busy living fully that time does not bind them up.  Is it not when you are the most invested in something: a page-turning book, a mesmerizing play, an enriching heart to heart conversation, that you are the least aware of time?  Time itself seems to slow down during the actual experience and when the actual time is revealed you are left astonished by how quickly time passed by.  Could you imagine living a life so full and enjoyable that in a sense you escape the constraints of time?  Children do this daily, for they choose to live as they please, without remorse, fear or hesitation.

I find it fascinating that in Mark 10:15, Jesus reminds us that we cannot enter into His kingdom unless we are childlike. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in¹. How fitting.  The kingdom of God offers unimaginable quenches to all our thirsts and Jesus is saying that in order to gulp such goodness, we must live like children live.  A bit surprising, no?   But if you take a moment to assess and deconstruct His words, what He is saying is rather brilliant.  Why not become so fattened with innocent ambition and intention that time and other constraints of life shed and fall away? Jesus makes it clear to us that His yolk is easy and His burden is light².  He came to give us life so we could have it more abundantly³. Are we making life more complicated than it is?

Friend, life is simpler than we perceive. So be simple.  Be childlike.  Lace up your sneakers this new year and play.  Play and slurp and lick multicolored popsicles in the most messy and repulsive way.  Allow the sugary goop to stick to your lips and cheeks, fingers and palms.  Lick at your hands to enjoy the remaining syrup and allow some to drip on your tank top.  Swing your legs back and forth vigorously, take in the radiant light of the relentless sun, and don’t forget to look down at your masterpiece splattered below—if you ask me, pavement can always use a splash of color.

¹Mark 10:15 ²Mathew 11:30 ³John10:10

Photo Credit: Grow Happy