Terra Mattson on Christian Parenting: "The Language of Play”
Written by Terra Mattson
Mom, will you play with me?
Pause.
Something happens when we become adults. We start to think about education, food, paying the bills, serving, and laundry. Oh, the laundry!
Summer hits, and many of us don’t have the same luxury to toss caution to the wind and spend endless hours outside with our kids. (Note—if you do, own this privilege with all your might! These days pass so quickly.)
Play is the language of children
From a developmental and neurobiological sense, God designed children to help the rest of us see the world in all of its glory. The simple wonders and joys are all around us—a stick that becomes a sword, the taste of a popsicle, or the giggles that come in chasing a cricket.
Some theology can squeeze the breath out of the pure trust and delight of what God, the ultimate artist, displays in creation.
From Genesis to Revelation, we see God offering an abundant life to his kids—one that is mingled with overcoming trials, loving the marginalized, and playing joyfully.
Serving, working hard, responsibility, character development, and manners are all good and important in raising our children.
But at the end of the day, if our children do not capture that they are seen, known, and loved just as they are—with mud on their faces, chasing butterflies—then, we have missed it, friends. Play opens the door to children feeling the presence of a parent. Play is a simple, but profound way parents show children that they are delighted in.
