Kid's Playing Out in the Street

It is days like today that my children are desperate to go and play in the cresent where we live.  They look longingly at the doors where their friends live.  Hoping that they would come out to play.  It was not so long ago that they would pace the floor in agitation "can we go to the park?" "Can we go somewhere?"

Now they don't want to watch films.  They don't want to go to the park.  They don't want to go for a walk.  They just want to stay and play with their friends in the crescent.

I am mainly happy with this, although the garage keeps getting turned upside down.  The neighbours children are in and out of my house, up and down the stairs; but at least I know where my children are and what they are up to!

It has reminded me of my own childhood when I used to play in the back alley.  All the children from the neighbourhood would gather, and the alley was our territory!  We don't see children playing outside much anymore, which is a bit sad as this was a way of guaranteeing them getting a good amount of air in the lungs, therefore sleeping well at night.  This was also a way to guarantee getting 5 mins space with no-one stating "I'm hungry, "I'm bored".  Now I have the comments, "I've fallen over", "Jaydon is saying horrible things to me"....

I understand the reasons why children do not play outside their streets anymore.  Cars, strangers etc.  But one thing I remember is that because of playing outside I got to know friends.  I got to meet new friends.  I got to meet interesting friends.  It was from playing outside that a friend invited me along to "The Salvation Army".  If I had never been allowed to play outside, I might not have ever had the invitation to go to The Salvation Army.  If I had never been allowed to play outside, I might not ever of had the opportunity to meet with Jesus.  (I know a lot of if's)  I was introduced to Jesus through The Salvation Army because a friend had taken the time to invite me along.  All because I was making my way to her's to have a playtime.

My children are great evangelists!  They talk up the name of Jesus!  It is good to hear them in the crescent telling their new found friends that they 'Celebrate Jesus'.  They might get their theology wrong from time to time, but hey!  they are children and they are still telling others about Jesus.

They challenge me.  Who am I inviting to The Salvation Army?  Who am I befriending to invite them to get to know Jesus?  I am not berating myself, just being challenged by the fact that my children are outside now, laughing, joking, screaming and shouting and when the opportunity arises they are speaking about Jesus.

I remained challenged!