“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy."

Are we missing the simple power of play?  This afternoon I realized that much of my work week was spent answering e-mails, reviewing details for workshops, looking at budgets, and worrying about the economy.  Of course, much of this is necessitated by a culture of doing more, consuming more, and achieving more.  But are we living more? 

I often reflect on the story of Mary and Martha.  We are a culture of Marthas who are called to live more like Mary, and we are raising another generation just like us.  Instead of working furiously five days a week, sometimes forgetting to break for lunch, and checking e-mail and voice mail and facebook; why don’t we spend a few minutes appreciating this creation, this blessing, of which God has given us dominion? 

Though it may sound silly, stomp in a mud puddle, play “red light – green light” with your children, sing songs at the top of your lungs while waiting for the light to change at an intersection!  Participate in activities that make you laugh and re-connect you to the people and places that really matter.  Life is tough and getting tougher.  God, our children, our family and friends, our neighbors, and even us… we need blessed play.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pm and is filed under joy, martha and mary, play. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.