Sunday, August 5, 2007

Learning to PLAY


When I was a kid I used to play. One of my favorite things to do was to go ride bikes with my friend Billy. Billy was a half Greek and Half Spanish boy with a smile to charm old Scratch himself. I loved hanging out with him. He was my best friend and we did everything together. Swim, bike, find old chewing tobacco in the high school baseball dug out and chew it. Walk old news papers down to the recycling in the 100 degree heat for cash, after chewing the tobacco. Buy lunch with the money we got from the newspapers. Then puke all over the front of the restaurant from the tobacco and the heat. It was great. We played. We played all the time.
So what happened? When did I forget how to play? I don't know. I look around and I see all these people who like to go out and play. The bikers. The surfers. The musicians. The campers. They know how to play and I don't. Something in me wants to play, but something else says "Nah". But that is all changing.
I am discovering my inner child. The one who wanted to go fishing and ride his bike and go to the beach. I am learning to play guitar. Well actually I am practicing guitar. I stink but that's ok. It's part of the process and the process in getting to something is the biggest part of the thing it's self. I am also learning to surf. Yes I know your saying, "You've lived in Portugal, one of the best surfing spot, and you haven't tried to surf?" Well I can say that I was able to get up the other day on my learner board. It was great. I spent the whole day wearing my self out surfing.
So I am learning to play again. I am learning to let myself relax a little. I am finding that little Spence and taking him to the beach. Want to come out and play?

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey S...loved this post...it's great that you are learning who you are all over again...Paris taught (is still teaching) me similar stuff. Looking forward to seeing you next week...Justin

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say, I can relate. Part of it for me was that I got very serious when I began to see how many Christians don't live for Christ- and how much worldly philosophy has penetrated the church. I got so serious, I forgot how to truly delight in the Lord- and that's at the heart of Christian play & fun. Working with Jr. Highers and going to summer camp as a counselor has helped to change that, along with other lessons. God WANTS me to enjoy things because it is glorifying to Him. I should delight in all the things He makes available to me. I feel more and more freedom to have fun when I approach it in a worshipful attitude. :-)