I have been thinking about Paul’s words to the believers in Phillipi where he gives them advice on how to behave and think in their world. Paul wrote:  “Friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly.”  (The Message)  Sounds like good advice doesn’t it? But how to have that kind of control over our thoughts and deeds in this frenetic and sometimes out of control world? 

   Just before this verse Paul reminds the believers that peace comes when we pray, and at the same time trust God.  Just after, he speaks of their generosity to him.  The dwelling on positive things comes in the middle of these two things – trusting prayer and generous actions. 

   Here’s what I have decided. If I want to have a peaceful and productive life I can make that happen based on my choices.  Without putting my head in the sand and being unaware of today’s life circumstances I have the power to choose to pray while trusting God to handle things, I can choose what to focus on and what my actions will be. I can choose beauty over ugliness, peace over strife, and generosity over selfishness. I can choose my own adventure! 

  The other things that make me feel childlike are actually rather pleasant. First, I don’t really have any jobs to do.  Someone brings me tea, the beds are ready when I arrive, meals are served and we are summoned to the table when they are ready.  It is not acceptable to help in the kitchen in Indian culture. When it is time to go somewhere we are herded into a vehicle and someone drives us. Once we arrive somewhere we are greeted and seated in good spots. 

  Second there is a lot of spare time.  At home I don’t enjoy that because I like being busy and checking things off my endless lists.  But over there I usually can use the time to rest, listen and observe, read, write in my journal or venture out into the neighborhoods to do little chores like find a telephone or buy water, etc. It is like playing.  I am not in charge and that, for once, is okay. 

   I wonder what Jesus meant exactly when He talked about becoming like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven?  I know it is not about being physically cared for by others or having no responsibilities, but it probably is about not always being in control of all aspects of our lives.  Maybe it is also more about relaxing and soaking in the color of life and less about checking those tasks off my lists.  Hmmmm. I wonder.