My New Year’s promise in 2011 is to play outside—if even only a little--every day. I made the mistake of telling this resolution to my children…and they hold me to it. Playing outside is something they just do—quite like breathing. So we enter into the promise together—my two growing boys and I— and I am taken by surprise by the sudden depth of longing it awakens in me.
In the confines of my grown-up life I have forgotten this feeling—this wonder and freedom that comes with no walls. In my grown-up life, when I want to grow or learn, I pick up a book. This is quite satisfying and I am happy this way—but after a time of stepping into the promise, I begin to remember.
It reminds me of childhood, this feeling.
Let's play outside...
What could spark such a commitment? In 2010, I went on a journey through God in the Yard: Spiritual Practice for the Rest of Us, by L.L. Barkat. I was changed when I closed the final pages. Now, I'm participating in another God in the Yard journey, over at BibleDude's place. If you left a comment on my post over there, thank you! Your name was entered in a drawing to win a copy of God in the Yard. And now, it's time to announce the winner!
The winner of an all expense-paid-deluxe-copy of God in the Yard: Spiritual Practice for the Rest of Us is:
Congratulations, Deidra! I'll be in touch! After I play outside just a wee bit...
7 comments:
Deidra! Maybe she'll share?
It changed my life, too!
Congratulations, Deidra.
I love the idea of playing outside - no walls. Great promise to your children and a gift to both them and you.
Andie
Anyone who knows how to play is a true person. So glad your boys still play!
i may just have to get myself a copy…sounds like an important one.
~zena
oh, i love to play outside too :) it's so good for the soul.
You told your kids? You are so incredibly brave.
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