It's a sweet movie about a man who married an adventurous gal. Through their life together, they were always saving up to go to Paradise Falls...the trip of their dreams. But inevitably their savings were always used for necessities. She died with their dream still unfulfilled.
After her death, a building developer pressures him to sell his house. He refuses, and with balloons attached to his house, he floats away...to Paradise Falls. Unknown to him, a boy scout is stuck on his front porch when his house leaves the ground. The interaction between the elderly man and this young boy scout is one of the focal points of the movie. In the end, he begins to make his own dreams come true instead of living the dreams of the past.
One quote from the movie really stuck with me...as he and the boy scout are heading toward the falls, he says, "Quickly and quietly"...referring to how the boy is supposed to travel along with him. How many times have I spoken with my children in that way?! A lot..."hurry" and do this...."quickly!" "Would you be quiet?!"
Amazing! God has made children with such an incredible thirst for learning and life! They love to investigate and discover. They are loud and noisy. They move around a lot. They laugh. They want to see the right things happen--justice. They are creative. Those are just a few of the wonderful things about children.
They have things that they need to learn...how to speak with a nice tone of voice, how to respond with kindness, how to share, etc. But often when it comes to teaching them, the teaching of the how gets lost in the schedule of life. The time that younger son yells at older son is when we're heading out the door for something we "need" to be at...and that's when the comments about time might just jump out this mommy's mouth.
Now, I am fully aware that children need to be taught. Every time we eat, I long to turn on a recording on manners! Children do a lot of foolish things, too. And in those areas, we are responsible to teach and train them how to go. But, they have a way of finding joy in the little things...of laughing over almost nothing. And in that specifically, I want to increase in our home. Joy and discovery...and taking time.
What would happen if we started to get ready not just a few minutes before we leave? What if we took the time necessary to instruct and appreciate where God has our children?
I know my home would be filled with more peace. I know that I don't want "quickly and quietly" to be my motto! I'd rather have "joy and discovery" be mine. After all, didn't Jesus say that we were to be like a child? (Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.")
We won't be using those "Q" words anymore here! With a little bit of planning on my part, we can respond with more kindness and joy to each other...and it starts with me :)
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Lord, thank you for calling us to be like children.
Thank you for making us Your children.
Help me today to appreciate the wonders of being a child.
Give me eyes to see the ways of taking time to
discover and find joy in You.
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