Playtime is a Spiritual Endeavor
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
We Presbyterians were part of the puritan tradition. We have always been good at sacrificing. Our ancestors worked hard and considered play a frivolous pastime. We were better at banning dance that doing the tango. We were better at banning cards than doubling down in Vegas. We were better at demanding prohibition than stopping a kegger from spewing foam. Now I do not condone gambling or cheap beer, and I am too old to dance well, but I still believe Presbyterians need to embrace the God-given call to play.
In his book, The Rest of Life, theologian Ben Witherington III argues that “play carries within itself the capacity to bring a person to ecstasy, to a condition where he transcends his self-consciousness and self-focus and is surprised by joy, and becomes self-forgetful for a time.” Every Wednesday, I mentor a 3rd grader at a Des Moines elementary school through the Teammates mentoring program. My task is to be a supportive adult in his life. Developing trust and nurturing a relationship occurs through play. We’ve made slime, played UNO, Deer Pong, the games Trouble and Yahtzee, and many other games. The only goals are having fun, playing, and being a consistent presence in my mentee’s life during the school year.
Often, 3rd-grade boys play hard and do not share their feelings. It can be hard to know whether you are making a difference in his life. Then, one day, I heard through a third party that my mentee acts calmer and is better behaved on Wednesdays when we get together. All we do is play, but the play makes a meaningful difference. The space doesn’t just make the mentee’s day. I find Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week. Occasionally, I must miss a Wednesday due to a funeral or an emergency, and I miss spending time playing with my mentee.
Today, reflect on the amount of time each week you schedule play. Do not scoff; we should be making play a priority. It was easier to play when our daughter was young. I could pretend to play All-Star Wrestling with her in the living room or tell stories using our food at fancy restaurants. Doing either of those things in public without a child present would cause the medical community to institutionalize me. You and I will feel younger and joyous when we play. No matter how old you are, continue to pray that God will provide moments of play in your life.
