I had fun...and I don't feel bad about it!

Let me start off this post with a confession:

I had fun at summer camp and I don't feel guilty about it. I know some of you are questioning my Christianity since there's a commandment in there somewhere that says "Thou shalt not have fun."

Alright, this is tongue in cheek, but sometimes we act like that at church. I've heard the comment too many times, "all the kids are doing is having fun." In the past I would defend the program and try to point out deep theological and spiritual lessons that were being taught. Now I simply say, "so what?"

I've changed my mind. Having fun at church, in a church program, does not need to be defended. It needs to be applauded.

These past summers while I worked at camp, I've realized that children and youth today have experienced too much brokenness and sadness for an adult life time. The loss of parents, the breaking up of homes, terrible home situations and more. Their childhoods have almost been taken away. I've seen some who are uncomfortable smiling, laughing or even playing.

As we've played silly games like "who sold out", "walk around", "feed the baby", "bullfrog", I've seen faces crack a smile. I've seen some fall into the sweet release of laughter. I've seen some even learn how to play and for those moments the innocence of youth returns.

What if church were a place where a kid can be a kid? What if we were the people who taught children that they can lay down their burdens and have fun with us?
What if like Jesus we bid them come: find hope, find joy, find laughter, find fun?

What if we didn't apologize for having fun but we celebrated having fun?