The Swing

In my "young father" days, I used to go on walks with the kids.

We would point out things to each other, talk, and explore.

Sometimes I prayed silently. The kids would scout ahead, and come back to pull

me to treasures and hiding places.

Once, while walking with my son, we passed by an overgrown field.

In the middle of the field was the frame of a large old swing set, an overgrown tennis court, and a

small falling down wooden shed.

Chris saw the lone old swing frame and yelled, " Let's swing daddy !!"

He excitedly tried to pull me through the tall grass toward it. I tried to hold him back because I

could plainly see that there were no swings, chains, or anything on the framework.

I stopped and told Chris that the frame was empty.

He looked up at me, and said confidently, " let's ask Jesus !"

I started to answer to Chris... , "Yes, but.... "

Interrupting, he bent his little head and prayed, “ Jesus please let us have a swing to play on.”

Chris let go my hand, and ran off to the old playground ahead of me. I took this time to

vent my surging anger at God.

How could He disappoint a child, My Child, like this ?

Thinking of God saying, "have the faith of a child", I cried out to Him, "Here it is!

How can You tell us to have Faith? How can I explain your broken promise

to a little boy? He's too young to start this way!"

I could see the whole field, knew there would be no good answer to my little boy's prayer.

I was righteously furious; and I made sure God and anyone within earshot knew it!

With my head down, I followed my son's trail through the grass. I was angrily

trying out excuses for God.

"Not always. Sometimes we have to wait." but what I really wanted to say was, "sometimes

God's too busy to keep all His promises."

After the short walk, I arrived at the empty frame, Chris was not there.

I guessed, "is he rolling or hiding in the tall grass? Good, he's probably distracted,

maybe he's already forgotten his prayer," I mumbled to myself (loud enough for God to hear).

Chris' voice called to me from behind the little shed. When I stepped around the corner; my

mouth fell open.

There was a baby sized, old rusty swing set. On the crossbar was one crooked swing that Chris

was sitting on. He said “Push me daddy,” I did as he asked, as I laughed through my tears.