This is the Life!

A family went to Lake McConaughy in Ogallala, Nebraska, for the weekend. The father said, "We rented a beautiful 25-foot pontoon boat, then we loaded it with groceries and fishing poles and headed for the middle of the lake." They shut the engine down, drifted gently, and got out their lunch. Jenny, age four, ate a sandwich and drank her pop. During a silence she stretched and yawned. Then she put her feet up on the cooler, leaned back, and said, "Man, this is the life!"

I learned from Jenny to embrace the moment, cherish it, and announce it to others. These are significant learnings, and I thought they were enough. However, the bliss of Jenny's diminutive celebration would not let me go. There was something more there: a sense of belonging. A friend said to me many years ago, "I can grieve by myself, but I can't celebrate by myself." This little girl could not have celebrated alone. She seized the moment because she intuitively knew she belonged to this family. When I think about Jenny, I have to admit that I often hold myself back from celebrating for a reason I am just beginning to understand: I feel I do not belong.

I know God loves me and welcomes me into the circle; but often I choose to stand just beyond the pale. It has been a long time since I have stretched, put my feet up, leaned back and said, "Man, this is the life!" These triumphant, haunting words of the four-year-old make me reflect on their absence in my life. Jesus says, "Come unto me," but I am too busy complaining about my unwieldy burden to bow before him so he can custom-fit the light load he has for me. I have not been brave enough to come as I am.

The presence of pride drives out my courage. I compare myself with others and believe they deserve to belong and I do not. In addition to making me feel inferior, the proud act of comparing immobilizes me and takes me out of the party mood. My eyes are firmly focused on my inadequacy and therefore locked on myself. I have not been able to party because I am not thankful. The little girl used her eyes to look away from herself. She saw food, fishing poles, a big boat, a beautiful lake, and a loving family. She relished the scenic view, relaxed, and was grateful. She belonged, she celebrated, and she heralded the good news.

A child has awakened me again, and I will resume the growing-down process. By God's grace, I will reaffirm I belong to Jesus by responding to his invitation, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28). In that rest I will relax, put my feet up, and announce, "Man, this is the life!"

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 books, Heading for Home & Learning from Children are available from FAW.