"Hallowed" Swings?

 So many things are happening that it seems like last year, but it was only 6 weeks ago that we went with the youth group family to Holiday World. It was a blast as usual. We did things differently this time - we camped out at a nearby state park... so we had two full days in the park. On the first day we walked up to the HallowSwings, and guess who wanted to ride them? And guess who's mother preferred his father to ride with him? Dylan wanted to ride the batman like thing called HallowSwings. Here'a a video of them. You probably caught it, but it's in the Halloween section.



I really didn't want to ride the thing. I hadn't found the free supply of coffee yet and just didn't want to - but I did, muttering under my breath. You go round and round and round... Being a chronic control freak I don't like the sense of my child is several feet away from me suspended from chains swinging around 30 or more feet from the ground - with a very 'young' person operating the ride. So I suffered through it... got off - continued what has and still is our daily routine - hunting forever for his shoes taken off before the ride - and then left the area with my head thumping, secretly hoping he wouldn't want to ride it again - and what's the deal anyway? They have free soft drinks, but no coffee? Come on! But something caught my eye.

It was actually another dad but he was carrying something - well someone - it looked to be his son of 10 or 12 years. I had seen them earlier but didn't focus in on them. It put some things in perspective when as I watched him lift his paralyzed son from his wheel chair and carry him with some effort so he could ride the swings - and seemed happy enough to do it. I'm sure there were rides he would have liked to ride with his son that he couldn't - and probably would have given anything to do so.

Here it is yet again - my perspective getting in the way. After that self realization I would have gotten back on the swings with a better attitude - but Dylan didn't want to - and I struck coffee.  I wonder how many opportunities we miss in our church family because of our perspective. Jesus walked up to people like that little boy and made them whole.

We are in a spiritual battle - and there are wounded among us. If we could see as God sees, we'd see some pain that would take precedent over other wants and wishes. The battlefield is in the mind. Why not take a minute to focus on our blessings over our obligations.

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  (Luke 5:31-32)