PLAYGROUND LESSONS

The human eyes perform one of the most important functions in the body. By allowing us to view the world, it helps us see, navigate our world, develop mental imagery, and the list can go on…

However, a mother’s eyes have another very important function. Have you ever been straightened by your mother’s eyes? You know that laser-focused soul-piercing stare that quickly causes you to turn aside from the path of folly unto the path of righteousness😊… That stare that prevents you from collecting food from strangers while simultaneously reminding you that there is rice at home…

I learnt something recently from the playground – learn with me and let’s connect the dots.

My toddler really loves the playground and I usually try to indulge her as often as I can. On one of the playgrounds that we frequent often, there is a very steep flight of stairs (pictured) that lead to the slides which she loves. However, the steep slide is only bound by railings on one side, so it could present a bit of a climbing challenge for a 2-year-old. So, she often needs some guidance to navigate the stairs.

The type of guidance she gets depends on who takes her to the playground. When her dad takes her, he basically carries her through the flight of stairs and lands her at the very top. However, when I do take her, I let her navigate the stairs by herself, while I stand closely, providing her guidance with reassuring eye glances that gives her the confidence to climb up the stairs.

Now both forms of guidance are good, but they reflect some important differences. I am the primary caregiver for our daughter, so I spend considerably more time with her. She’s sweet and cute and all of those nice toddler stuff. But I have also seen her lift up a 4L jar of milk, hauled a giant toy down a slide of stairs and move our laundry trolley full of clothes down a considerable distance. The result of that is that I am more in tune with her physical strength and her capabilities. So, while I know she could be carried up the flight of playground stairs, I also know that she’s capable of navigating the stairs herself with minimal adult input.

As I pondered on these thoughts, the Holy Spirit brought this scripture to mind:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Psalms 32:8 [NKJV]

Our Heavenly Father promises guidance with his eyes – a metaphor of a type of guidance that is only possible from a deep level of relationship and “knowing”. Just like I can guide my daughter with just a look, or how you know exactly what your mum wants you to do with just one stare.

I enjoy learning things from the seemingly mundane, and this experience at the playground was one of them. My prayer as I walked away that day, was that I never stopped growing in my knowledge and in my relationship with the Lord. It is a good prayer for you to make too.