Increasingly I find myself captivated by the world in which we live; for I’m inclined to believe that the world we call “real” is in fact “fantastic.” With John Eldredge, I agree that our world—the world of giraffes and gophers, falcons and flees, ostriches and orchids, volcanoes and violets —is much closer to “fantasy” than otherwise. However, we adults often need our children to alert us to the wonders about us. This is perhaps so, because we have either become jaded: “Oh yes, I’ve seen that before,” or we spend most of our waking moments living within the confines of the worlds we have fashioned with our hearts and hands. Without question, to be jaded is not an admirable trait; on the other hand, to live with central heat and air conditioning reflects the sometimes-harsh, natural world about us.
Recently our grandchildren, and with glee, caught several “floppers” (i.e. stingrays) and hammerhead sharks, and then returned them to the world beneath the waves. Their delight, tinged with awe, was truly great, and we enjoyed their excitement; but amid our enjoyment, I also thought to myself: “These hammerheads are not unlike the animation characters they regularly see.” That is, our American (and world?) culture, through videos and movies, has done well to highlight the great, detailed variety and/or diversity of our world. The variety is everywhere manifest, if we but take time to listen and to look.
Our grandchildren, amid their wonder, also expressed momentary concern: when our fishing guide removed the hook from one of the stingrays, a little blood appeared. Immediately we heard: “Put him back in the water! Will he be all right—will he survive?!” As quickly as they voiced their concern, equally we sought to quell it.
As I now ponder their concern, I am reminded of Jesus’ words:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father…. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29, 31).
Of course, in context Jesus desired to calm His disciples’ fears: He had just foretold their impending suffering; and yet, whatever our fears and anxieties, how reassuring to know that our lives and experience, amid the great and manifold variety of all creation, have not been forgotten by our Creator. He knows. If our children know to express concern about a stingray, how much more so does our Creator care for you and me?!
Faithfully,
Stan