“Oh, wow, look what I found!”

In sharp contrast to the black surface of the parking lot, the shiny loop sparkled in the afternoon sun. I reached down to pick up a tiny silver ring before realizing it was embellished with a small dinosaur.

I was thrilled and immediately placed it on my left ring finger, laughing as I flashed it around as if it was a whole carat of sparkles.

My date was not amused. He grunted something about being childish and suggested I remove it before dinner. None of that surprised me as he had played through the arcade with reluctance and grumble. He seemed too grown to enjoy a low-stakes Skee-Ball challenge.

Not only did I wear my “childish” dinosaur ring to dinner, but I also showed it off to friends, family, and colleagues all summer long, most of whom smiled and nodded slowly, widening their eyes.

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

~Matthew 18:3 NLT

The ring came to me in a period of rebuilding when I felt burdened, looking at a towering stack of losses. The find felt like a nudge from God—a whisper in my weariness—that I had become too grown and too absorbed in my adult troubles. Just a peek at the little dinosaur dancing on the left side of my keyboard brought a moment of joy which increased my ability to start hoping again. The ring acted as a reminder to chill, play, smile, and seek the awe in the days ahead.

Do you have a dinosaur ring of sorts that reminds you to look for the blessings in every day and to choose joyfulness over grumbling? What is it that makes you smile and restores your childlike spirit?

I retired my playful dinosaur ring that September as I moved into a more professional setting career-wise. But when I find myself stressed and too focused on things I cannot control, I slip the little guy back on my finger to remind me to stay in the moment, to smile along the way, to always play Skee-Ball with abandon, and to remain childlike in my heart and in my faith.

 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

~Matthew 18:4 NLT

How long has it been since you played and laughed like a child?

Father God, help me to keep my heart as humble and light as a child. May my focus always turn to You and the joys I have in this life. Help me not to let the strains of adulting keep me from recognizing Your blessings and Your love.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Nonfiction

Copyright 2022: My Childish Dinosaur Ring: Cynthia Mendenhall: All Rights Reserved