Today's Thoughts...

Today's Thoughts: Did you ever take time to watch little children? Periodically, I get to spend time with two of my grandnieces. Usually I am with them for a few days and at times. If it was not a holiday with others around I get the chance to spend some quality time with them. When this happened they sometimes involve me in their day to day lives and I am able to sit back and just watch them. It amazed me how they often make whatever they have at the moment into a simple play toy, boxes, board games, a piece of ribbon or string, everything seems to come to life.
 
When my niece Kristina, was about three years old, I would often which her play for hours on the floor by herself with board games, like Risk, Trivial Pursue, and others. She had no real understanding of how these games were played but that didn’t matter. She was content to just sit there moving pieces around, building things and imagining a whole different world. There was joy and contentment on her face as she enjoyed a moment of life. I was often jealous of her freedom, her joy and her excitement. These young women whom I am blessed to spend time with are gifted with wonderful imaginations to enliven their lives.
 
In reflecting on these experiences with my grandnieces I could hear Jesus' words in the Gospel today. God truly does reveal many things to children that we adults miss. Children seem to know the joy and the love of God. Through their imaginations I truly believe they often see the hidden gifts of God that we adults at times miss. We can learn a lot from children, if we let them be children and if we stop to watch and celebrate the gift of their presence in our life.
 
Children also keep alive the hope that Isaiah talks about in the first reading today. If we use our imaginations as children do we will be able to see the wonderful life that Isaiah envisions, where the wolf is the guest of the lamb and the leopard lies down with the kid and the baby is at play right next to the cobra’s den and all is well. In other words, if we are not afraid to use our imaginations we have a chance to encounter the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, strength and wonder and awe and we have a chance to live in a world were justice and peace flourishes. We have a chance to make this life God’s Holy Mountain.
 
Yes, I know it seem farfetched but perhaps all it takes is a little imagination!
 
Have a great Tuesday, a blessed Advent everyone and may you find peace, hope and joy throughout the day!