In a timely post Adoro Te Devote writes about children and belief.
This begins to get at the link between fantasy and mysticism. I’m still stretching to articulate exactly what I want to say. More posts to come. Meanwhile, read her musings on the subject:
When I read “The Chronicles of Narnia”, I remember going each day to check the back wall of my closet, just in case there was a passage to Narnia for me, too. And I really BELIEVED that it was possible, although I never confessed this to anyone at the time. Yet for years, I begged for a doorway to open so that I could meet Mr. Tumnus, so that I could meet a talking horse, and dine with the Kings and Queens of that beautiful and far away land.
Perhaps now you laugh at such fancy, and as an adult, I do, too. But at the same time, I can’t stop the pangs of bittersweet remorse for my indulgent laughter, for I cannot get the Biblical admonition to become like the children. For, as Jesus said, it is only those who are like these children who will inherit the Kingdom of God.
What does this mean?
Chilren are humble; they are small vessels of God’s abundant grace, and they accept, unquestioningly, that the Divine is among them. They have not thrown up barriers and they do not know the careful art of argument and debate. Their lives are simple and if we tell them that Jesus is in the tabernacle, they accept this, although granted, with many questions for they cannot understand how a full-grown man can live in such a small space. But they will still accept this as Truth and go about their day resting in the knowledge that Jesus is always there.
Children are in contact with the mystical, which we as adults shut out all to often. We hear that “still, small voice” in our hearts and call it “imagination”, wheras children may be conversing fluently with the Angels and just consider it to be a part of daily life.
Go here to read her story about hearing God’s voice and making a fool of herself for Christ. Beautiful.
Two things I want to add:
1. I have been a regular at Asahi for almost 10 years now, back when they were in their old location on Pickering Wharf. I went in every Friday for sushi and came to know the owner and waitresses. Very fine people and it doesn’t surprise me at all that they would have kept the hat for us. Remember how she prepared the take-out sushi special for you when you were still in the hospital after having Bella?
2. In my experience Japanese women adore babies. Yes, women of all ethnicities love babies, but Japanese women seem to have a special magnetism for them, which makes the collapse in the birth rate of Japan all the more sad.
3. Thanks Paul for an inspired idea!
Ok that’s three…
Yeah, I didn’t mean to imply that I was surprised because it was out of character for them to have found and kept the hat. Just surprised and delighted because the hat had disappeared into the black hole and I had absolutely no idea where it had gone astray.
You’re right. Delightful people. Restores my faith in human nature every time I go in there.