Child's Play

A woman said, "As a cynical teenager I had the great fortune to grow up with a sister 10 years younger than I. My adult life has been molded by the surprising lessons she taught me."

When her little sister, Rene, was three she discovered earthworms one morning after it rained. She was fascinated by the many worms that were crawling on the wet sidewalk, and asked, "Why do the earthworms come out after it rains?"

Her older sister replied, rather absently, "God brings the rain, and the earthworms."

Rene asked, "But aren't they cold?"

Her exasperated big sister said, "Oh, Rene, I don't know." That night she came into Rene's room to tuck her in and saw them--the earthworms--dozens of them, in bed with her. She yelled, "What on earth are you doing with all these earthworms?"

Rene looked up and said, "Well, God is so busy making rain I don't think he has time to take care of the wet and cold worms, so I'm helping him out." Her sister took the earthworms out and tucked her in. For awhile, each time it rained the whole procedure was repeated.

Her big sister said, "I was struck by the fact she knew absolutely her purpose in life for that moment. She got me jumpstarted into looking for mine."

My life verses are Mt. 11:28-30, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (MV)

I believe when I take an initiative, like Rene, to follow through on a clear, self-transcendent purpose, I am taking the yoke of Jesus and learning from him. My work then becomes child's play. This does not mean it is easy. Children sweat when they play, or they get dirty, like Rene. Rather, work is like child's play because we choose to do it, it has meaning for us, and we do it with sincerity. Friedrich Nietzche was right when he said, "When we recover the earnestness of a child at play, we have achieved maturity as an adult." As we take the yoke Jesus designs especially for us, we find our unique purpose in life, Jesus lifts the burden, and soul rest mysteriously comes to us in the middle of hard work.

Paul Welter has recareered after a long tenure at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He still teaches "Learning from Children" there and leads seminars. Paul's radio show airs especially for farmers and truckers on several midwest stations. He also consults with businesses and organizations in the area of work-weariness.

Paul's book, Learning from Children is available from FAW.