It was good news. I thought.
But when he heard it, he burst into tears.
In the car with my 5-year-old son, we drove by our local park. Construction had begun of a new playground. The original equipment had seen better days. Red and blue paint chipping off the metal slide. Swings broken. Play areas long overtaken by weeds. It was a depressing place that was finally receiving some new life.
“Look!” I exclaimed. “They are building a new playground!” Awaiting squeals of delight from the backseat, I glanced in my rearview mirror. What I saw broke my heart. Bottom lip quivering, eyes welling up, my son started to cry, “Oh no, where did they take the dinosaur? I liked climbing on him.” Now sobbing, he was clearly worried, asking over and over again what had happened to his dinosaur.” (Attempting to console him, I told my son they probably took him somewhere so other kids could play with him. Realistically, that old thing is headed to the scrap yard.)
On replaying this scenario in my head (every time I drove by the park!), I wonder if God sees me as a five-year-old crying over a rusty-old land. The God of the Bible is at work among his creation making all things new. He promises new life and brings about restoration. Oh, how often I hold on tightly to what’s familiar, even though God has good things waiting for those who love him.
Dear God, forgive me of my nearsightedness. Help me surrender what I like for Your abundant love. Free me from my broken life to live fully in the new playground You are creating. Grant me wisdom as I disciple my son in Your ways. Amen.
tiny tattoos 