"Go Fly a Kite"
By Cheri Fuller
My little boys peered through the icey window, fascinated with the snowflakes falling from the sky. Having just moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from central Texas where it only snowed once every five years if you were lucky, they were awed by the first snowstorm of the season.
“Mommy, look! It’s snowing! Let’s go out and play!” Justin said.
“Later, honey,” I said as I rushed past to put the laundry away.
“You gotta see the icicles on the roof!” he cried. When I saw their expressions fade into disappointment at my lack of excitement about their discovery, I sat down beside them and gaze at the dancing snowflakes outside. And when dad got home with warm snowboots, we all four went out and made a snowman.
Have you ever responded “later” to one of your kids’ discoveries? Or has your sense of wonder faded between the pages of your daytimer or been replaced by practicality, busyness, and preoccupation with work and worry?
I admit it: Mine did. As I got busier with each child and all the responsibilities like supervising homework, helping in my husband’s business, juggling housework, writing deadlines and the kids’ school and sports activities, I started missing many of the magical, miraculous things God put in my line of vision. I was so task-oriented I forgot how to play. I wanted to share in my kids’ joy and sense of discovery, but there was so much to do!
Finally, frustrated, I asked God for help. He gave what seemed like a strange response: Go fly a kite.
It seems so impractical, I thought.
That’s just the point, He answered.
So I purchased a kite for our next family time at the park. Holmes is great at deciphering directions so with all of us working together, we got it up. After a few minutes of holding the string, my kids ran off to swing and slide, leaving me holding the kite.
As the big red, yellow, and black kite caught the wind and flew higher and higher, my spirit soared too. After that afternoon, I was hooked on kites. I kept it in the trunk and brought out at the lake, park or beach. When we flew the kite, I relished in God’s handiwork—the birds flying overhead, the big Oklahoma blue sky, or a puffy cascade of clouds—instead of focusing on my own earthly problems. It stirred my sense of wonder and refreshed my spirit.
Maybe this month it’s too cold where you live for kite flying, but it’s just a metaphor for doing something for no reason at all but because it’s fun, not a means to an end.
You see, I think God wants us to be the kind of moms that don’t take “little things” like snowfalls, sunrises, red cardinals, new babies, mealtime, or good health for granted, but are filled with awe and gratefulness at God’s amazing grace. When we are, our hearts will be refreshed inevitably splashes some joy on those around us.
Copyright© 2004 Cheri Fuller, adapted from The Mom You’re Meant to Be: Loving Your Kids While Leaning on God (Focus on the Family/Tyndale). Use by permission only.
