More alchemy

“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him,” his heart said. “We, people’s hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later, we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them – the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.” (p. 131), The Alchemist

This passage brought tears to my eyes.

Several reasons, I think. First, the affirmation that what children know –and say and do – is true. I knew my own truth as a child, but very early began to shape it into what I hoped would be pleasing to the world. Now, I am watching my children do the same.

I want to stop the erosion of the truth, but I cannot. I hope I will notice and remember what is real and true in my children’s natures and be more help than hindrance when they seek to uncover their Personal Legends.

Also – I am simply sad that so many of us march out of time with our true natures and longings.

And, finally, another affirmation – that the world we perceive as threatening becomes more so. This is the crux of my struggle with the modern world. People say I’m naïve because I don’t believe we need guns to be safe. I say we create the safety of our world through our actions and beliefs.

This simple allegory begs to be re-read often, with fresh questions and perspective. If I can take one thing away with me now, it’s the knowledge that my treasure is where my heart is. Individual and indeterminable by anyone who doesn’t possess my heart – only I can find my treasure.

I’ll be seeking.

Listening to children

I’m reading a little book called The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho.

One of my favorite parts so far is when Santiago, the shepherd, tells a gypsy about his recurring dream. Santiago says that, in the dream, a child tells him that his treasure can be found at the base of the pyramids in Egypt.

The gypsy says something like: “If a child said it, it must be true.”

The gypsy’s comment echoes my experience. Children are wiser than adults. Usually, if a child says it, it is true.

No wonder we tell them to hush.

This is why I think children should be at the forefront of church life. They know what we adults have forgotten in the process of growing up. Because of this, they are closer to God.

I also read a book by an angry atheist this summer. He believes the church commits great evil by indoctrinating children with religion when they are too naive to know fact from fiction.

I guess I have more faith in children. I see their open hearts and ability to understand the unseen as great assets in the church -- and in the world. The trouble is the adults who try to dismiss them.

If a child said it, it must be true.

We better start listening.

A Tacky character

In the summer, we cast off regular programming and do children's church lite. When it's my turn to lead, I like to read books.

Tacky the Penguin is my hero of choice.

Poor Tacky never does anything quietly or neatly or conventionally, but he's all heart and manages to save the day anyhow.

The kids chortle and grin at his escapades. We can all relate to Tacky somehow.

To me, the book seems just right for church, where things can lean a little toward the prim and proper.

Tacky is anything but. Still, he's the type you'd like to have sitting next to you in the pew-- or even in the pulpit.

You'd certainly never fall asleep.