April Fool (1 Corinthians 3:18-20)

No joke, for a while, I thought I had it all together. Compared to many, I was doing okay. The evidence was in my success in my career, my family, my things, but I was never really satisfied. I switched jobs, switched churches looking for the "more" or the "abundance". As I became older, I became less optimistic and more cautious. Living out of fear, I called it wisdom. The lessons the world taught me about hurt and pain served to build walls of safety. I planned for the future with my insurance and 401K.

At the same time, I tried to get the most out of life. Like the people around me, I was planning for security, but living for the weekend. Always for the next meal, next thrill, next . . . whatever. I never felt like I could enjoy life in the present tense. There was always something more to be gained or achieved leaving me weary.

As I wished my life away, I think my children saved me.

In them I see my selfishness, but I also see their desire to enjoy simple things. When my passion for life is quenched, my kids remind me to have fun and play. They don't worry about the future because their faith is pure. Prayer for them is a solemn act that takes time. A child's ways are often considered silly and foolish since they "don't know any better." Oh to be foolish again!