It is always so intriguing to watch my children navigate their social world.
When they were toddlers, we had those lovely experiences at the bookstore sharing Thomas the Train with other two-year-olds. Every visit included screaming, crying, and various moms trying to work it out on behalf of their budding train conductors.
The term “playdate” is loosely translated “grab-fest” in toddler speak.
Now that they are school age, I am enthralled all over again in new ways.
The other day Boy 1 told me he asked a kid at Chick Fil A if he was a Christian.
“What did he say?” I asked.
“That he isn’t,” he reported.
“What did you say then?” (I sort of cringed, I have to admit.)
“Nothing. I just wanted to know if he was. And he’s not,” he replied cooly.
This kid rocks.
It’s interesting to watch them relate and fight, go boldly into new places or shrink back with hesitancy. And it’s never the same story twice.
Usually all my children love the night we host community group at our house, when they play with a slew of kids and eat too many desserts. But a few weeks ago, the shear number of bodies was more than Boy 2 could endure and he cozied up alone in his room to wait for the noisy crowd to disperse.
To be honest, I kind of wanted to grab a good book and hang out in there with him.
I was never socially bold. I guess I’m an introvert, or insecure, or just a mess. I still dislike walking into a room of new people, or even a room full of people I know if I’m unsure about their expectations of me.
Most Sunday mornings I have to gear myself up for church. After all, I never can predict the social climate on any given Sunday.
By I remind myself that these are people who love me. I tell myself what I tell my hesitant children, that everything will be okay and we are safe so long as we are in the will of God. Obedience to His call and His law of love is the surest way to be safely secured in insecure moments.
So I take a deep breath, and step into the room. I do my best to be who He has made me to be and do what He has called me to do. And the grace flows like juice boxes and goldfish on a play date; unending and abundantly present.
Sometimes, just showing up and being faithful is the surest way to do what is right. And later, I can always cozy up and be comfortable, full of the joy that comes from loving God first and others more than myself.
And that is what this is all about, isn’t it?
