Carina Francke

It is common knowledge that play stimulates children intellectually, increases development and growth of the brain, and forms new neuron connections in the brain. Emotionally play is an outlet for energy and stress; it makes you relax and regenerates love and an appreciation for life - especially in the lives of adults.

However, the most important advantage of play is that it fosters relationships between people.  When playful communication and interaction are valued, it cultivates an atmosphere for comfortable and easy connection as well as intimacy.

One way to get it right is to watch how children do it. Their creative, imaginative games of lions and crocodiles, of moms and dads with paper-doll children, of villains and super heroes, succeed in creating cohesion. They get angry, cry, laugh and dance to the beat of  "play" in their hearts. They play the issues of life into the background and find in and with each other, a fellowship that makes them happy. This is how John describes children playing, "They are like children sitting in the market-places and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn'(Matthew 11:16,17).

There is a lack of proof that Jesus played games with children, but there is proof that he made time for them. To him they were the example of the attitude adults should convey when receiving his kingdom (Matthew 19:13). He must have had a special playful approachability for children to sit on his lap without hesitation, allowed him to fold his arms around them and sat quietly while he blessed them. He did not hesitate to scold the disciples for the way they treated the children.

He also took his disciples aside frequently. In those intimate moments he shared his Father's heart with them and infused them with hope for the future. His narratives, parables and the way he did things, created an atmosphere where people found it easy to  relate with him and share their needs.

You might ask Where does "play" feature in these examples? You see, to play demands that you make time in a loaded schedule. This is exactly what Jesus did - he intentionally created moments where he, in his humanness, could really become man to others so that they could experience true relationship.

I cannot help but wonder: If play makes it possible to cultivate and deepen relationships, why do we find it difficult to play intentional?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of people. In addition, thank you for children that can teach us what the Kingdom of God looks like in our world. Change my stuck-thinking so that the playfulness of children can become visible in my relationship with you and with people. Amen