There is always something that happens to me when I’m around the kids. It’s a slow-down of sorts, a stepping off of my whirling world to find a different pace – the pace of a child.

Now, I’m not talking the pace of the average American preschooler who, by sheer virtue of being born here, to a set of upwardly mobile parents, are involved in twelve extracurricular activities and have to eat their snack in the car on the way to Portuguese-as-a-second-language.

No.

I’m talking about the natural rhythm of a child.

Wake up. Eat. Play. Eat. Sleep. Play. Play. Snack. Play. Eat. Sleep.

It’s simple. There are no real deadlines except for those imposed by their own body. The only urgencies that crop up are skinned knees, lost blankets, or a promised dessert when there are still veggies on the plate.

This slow down is happening to me now, and I find it especially precious during this season of the year. Even as I type this, my computer is dropping notification after notification of email onto the upper corner of my screen urging me to shop!, and hurry!, with flash sales and extended Black Monday discounts. As lists are piled up on the counter in the kitchen for coming parties that have to be planned and executed, and my mind begins to wander even past this month into the many obligations on my plate in January, a little hand takes mine and says, “C’mon Mimmie. Let’s play.”

And that’s all it takes to make all that distraction fade away to bring what’s important into stark relief.

I’ve always wondered about the song, “The Little Drummer Boy.” It’s seemed a strange song to have been written for Christmas, at least in my opinion. But I heard it yesterday, and started thinking about it in light of my own slowing rhythm. That little boy was told to come before the King and bring his finest gifts, but he had nothing but his drum and his God-given talent. So instead of trying to throw something together, or dazzle with a lot of fast-paced activity, he brought what he had…a simple rhythm.

And that’s all it took to make the rest of the distraction fade away to bring what was important into stark relief.

If things are moving too fast in your life, find a kid and hang out with them for a while. They have a secret you need to learn. To find real love, honest value and the true meaning of life, you need to find Christ. And you’ll find that He’s not dazzled by packed schedules and stellar works. His favorite offering is a simple, slow rhythm…the rhythm of the heart.

Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

 

“But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 ESV

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8 NLT