A child's spirit

I got to help some 3rd graders with creative writing this morning.

At first, I was struck by how different each child looked. Some were smaller than my sons were in kindergarten; others were much bigger than they are now. There were children with light skin and children with dark skin -- shy children and talkative children -- children in fancy dresses and children in tattered clothing.

As a writer, each child had different strengths. Some were great with plot, others with description. Every child also had room to grow. They were works in progress, opened up before me. Each shone with a unique and beautiful spirit.

It was such a poignant sampling of God’s handiwork.

That special time, huddled together at a little table outside the classroom, reminded me of the wonder and beauty of God’s creations.

I can hardly wait to go back next week.

Children and gun violence

I’ve been writing an article about children and guns for the November issue of DisciplesWorld.

It’s been rough going. Not because of lack of resources or motivation, but because the topic gets me right in the solar plexus.

I have an emotional storehouse there. It includes the video of Seung-Hui Cho ranting before his rampage at Virginia Tech. It includes memories of watching the horror unfold at Columbine. It includes news of a friend’s suicide. It includes all the stories I’ve ever read about children killing with and being killed by guns. And it includes the veiled threats and insults of gun rights advocates who rebutted my anti-gun essay.

I’ve been traumatized simply by living in our violent world.

I hate that I’ve developed something akin to a fear response when it comes to this issue. It muddles my mind and gets in the way of action.

Maybe that’s why I’m so impressed with the growing movement started by Abby Spangler at Protest Easy Guns. Thanks to this growing grassroots effort, groups of 32 people all over the country are lying down -- wearing orange and maroon ribbons -- to protest easy access to guns.

Why 32? In memory of the victims who died at Virginia Tech and because about 32 people die from gun violence every day in our country.

Groups of 32 are cropping up everywhere. Today alone, protests are being held in Raleigh, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Richmond (CA), Springfield (IL), Portland (ME), and Seattle.

So far, none have been planned for Indiana. Our state doesn’t have a chapter of the Million Mom March. Silence speaks volumes.

So, I’m spreading the word about Protest Easy Guns. It’s only a small contribution, compared to what others are doing today.

But it’s a start.

I’m also hoping to interview Reverend Rachel Smith, founder of God not Guns, for my article. I’m certain I won’t have room to include all her thoughts, so I’ll share more here.

Stay tuned…

A prodigal life

I taught Sunday school last week. The lesson was about the prodigal son.

The kids were supposed to draw a picture of a loving parent. I passed out paper and everyone sat there and stared at me. No one picked up a marker.

"My parents yell a lot, " one girl offered.

I ended up suggesting they imagine what a loving parent might look like and draw that.

Now, I know these children have loving parents. But that doesn't mean family life is easy. It's been a long summer. One extended car trip can just about do most of us in.

Anyhow, it turned out to be a good lesson for all of us -- children and parents -- who feel less than loving sometimes. Because it's about forgiveness.

God forgives us, we forgive ourselves, we forgive others, and -- hopefully -- they forgive us.

It's our only hope.