But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." ~Luke 18:16
When I finish writing my last post about Savannah's birthday, I find myself reminiscing about the days when I was a child, playing with my stuffed animals as though they were living, breathing creatures. In my mind, they could interact with me just as easily as my younger brother or my friends could. The memory culminates in the poem below. Can you identify?
Unicorns dance and prance
In a mind filled with wonder
Where worlds coexist
Reality, fantasy
Curtain torn, reveals
Imagination, truth
Side by side, at one
With creative bliss
In Father's image born
The who we're meant to be
The why we are here
Amen!
When we are young we have wonderful imagination; and everything looks bright and beautiful. I believe it is because we see God's world in all its beauty and glory. As we grow older, some of us become more cynical and un-believing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Martha for this post. God bless.
I couldn't agree with you more, Victor. As children, the world has yet to cloud our vision of what God's world is truly like. May we all see Him with the eyes of a child.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Some of us are still there...playing with dolls and interacting with them as if they were real...or talking to the birds and praying for the baby geese...yeah, I'm afraid "some of us" (me!) never grew up...or maybe are just in our 2nd childhood and loving it! Sometimes the imaginary world is so much kinder and sweeter than the real world and it is a nice little retreat. Don't worry, I know how to stay in the present here and now with real people, but it's fun to go on little "trips" into the imaginary world of a child again... Because I believe the verse you quoted as well as Matthew 18:3, "Unless you turn and become like little children you will never see the kingdom of heaven..."
ReplyDeleteAmen, Pamela! Second childhood or not, I truly believe that through Lily Grace, you are seeing the world as God intended you to see it - through innocent and curious eyes, and a heart open to love and be loved.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Pam and Martha... loved your comments!! Amen!
DeleteThanks, Terri, for encouraging others here!
DeleteI do not have detailed memories from my childhood years, I had dolls, but I do not remember whether I played make-believe.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a wager that you did engage in make-believe, Marja. Whether or not you have concrete memories of doing so, I'm sure you experienced wonder during your childhood.
DeleteLove and blessings!
it is too bad that we lose that imagination and ability to dream as we get older. Not that I want to be playing with action figures (stuffed animals are out) but that dreaming is so important.
ReplyDeleteThat dreaming is so important, Bill! May we never stop seeking God in the innocent trust of little children.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I had a stuffed dog named Shorty, who went with me everywhere. When I was five, my father decided it was time for Shorty to be put away. My grandmother happened to be visiting, and she was so upset that she packed her packs and told my father to bring her to the train station, because she was leaving. Shorty was returned to me.
ReplyDeleteGood for your grandmother, Glynn! We should always leave it up to children when to grow out of a favorite toy. My brother and I had a collection of small Steif animals; we played endless games with them as they went on adventures we made up in our heads. Those were some great times!
DeleteLove and blessings!
There is nothing like a child's imagination!
ReplyDeleteI know, Martha, nothing like it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteWell, we never had much on toys to play with but oh how I treasured my doll. I was heartbroken when one morning, getting up and finding her crumbled next to the stove where I kept her for staying warm and comfy I cried. My doll had died! There was gypsum used to make her and obviously that had not held up over the years. Yes, to us children they became 'real'...
When I was nine years old, one of my favorite Uncles (the one I wrote about https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2021/01/uncle-jan-role-model.html
had the first child. I'd knitted a hot water bottle protector and my
Aunt had given me a little chocolate colored doll that I loved so much as my personal new doll! She never crumbled... The latest doll I still have here at my home, sitting on the bed shelf. https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2011/04/our-green-bedroom.html
Big hugs,
Mariette
PS We never stop dreaming!
Thanks, Mariette, for sharing your childhood memories here with us. I think it does one's heart good to look back and remember the simple joys of our young lives. And yes, we never stop dreaming!
DeleteLove and blessings!
💞
DeleteWhat a gift you've given us! A gift to try and recapture the mindset of the child that was me. To peel back the layers of distrust and skepticism that I've allowed to grow unchecked.
ReplyDeleteAs we age, Mevely, those adult experiences do tend to make us forget the innocence we enjoyed as children. Let's cut through the clutter and simply enjoy being God's beloved child today!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Boa tarde, infelizmente na minha infância, não ganhei muitos presentes, mais fico feliz que Deus sempre foi muito presente em minha vida.
ReplyDeleteAnd He is the greatest gift of all, Luiz!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Not sure that I had too many imaginary friends or toys to talk to, but have great memories of how my imagination kept me sane in my younger years. I used to love to escape to the woods or citrus groves and write stories that took me on fanciful adventures. It was the escape from reality my young mind needed. Some days; I yearn to be able to escape into my "world of words" again. I'll settle for getting lost in God's word when I can. :-) Wonderfully sweet poem, and memories, Ms. Martha.
ReplyDeleteI do recall you writing in your blog, J. D., about escaping to the woods to write your imaginary stories. What a wonderful adventure that was, and I'm sure one you will always treasure! And may we all get lost in God's Word as much as possible, reaping the blessings found there.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful, Martha! Though I didn't play with stuffed animals (or dolls) that much, I can identify. I do still talk to the cats as if they can understand... and I talk to Jesus knowing he can understand! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Terri, Jesus certainly listens and understands us, even when we don't have words. I always talked to my pets, too; I believe they understand us more than we think!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, such a sweet photo and lovely poem. You have a gift!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Karen!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I used to play with my stuffed animals in much the same way. I had a monkey puppet and a bedraggled stuffed dog that I loved. Your adorable granddaughter loves her birthday gifts!
ReplyDeleteI can so identify with your childhood toys, Laurie. A monkey puppet and well-loved stuffed dog make the perfect recipe for imagination! And yes, Savannah absolutely loves this gift.
DeleteLove and blessings!