Hide & Seek

The summer night was dark and cool as we sat in our new backyard, the air oddly devoid of the humidity we’re accustomed to. One child sat on the steps counting and the other boys ran across the xeriscaped yard, feet crunching on the gravel and rocks. Their flashlights punctured through the dark night in jostled streaks and then went dark as they crouched into hiding places. They had until the count of 30 and then it was on. My husband and I sat comfortably in our green Adirondack chairs, ready to act as mediator and referee when necessary. It was often necessary.

I wonder if my friends and I fought this much during hide and seek. It was always my favorite game, one that I excelled at because I used my petite frame to my advantage. I would shimmy my way into places that people would look past, evading detection for a long time. That includes the washing machine. I now understand my baby sitter’s abject horror upon that revelation.

As we sat outside watching our boys and their cousins play tag, I mentally compiled a list of all the places that I would hide. I was about to call Batman over and whisper a suggestion- a perk of being the youngest and smallest- and point out a spot audaciously close to the seeker. Before I could say anything, he wiggled his way under my chair, a tiny space only a foot away from the seeker. It was like he read my mind. I looked at my husband and beamed with pride. Sure enough, the risk paid off. All of the other kids were found quickly. The seeker came looking to me for assistance, unable to find him. I was a rock, unmoving, it was Batman’s giggle bubbling up from underneath my seat that gave him away.

I love and adore my children for who they are, all of the unique parts about them, 4 kids, as different as apples, oranges, and peanut butter. But there’s something extra special about seeing myself mirrored in my children, to be able to say, he gets it from me. I see myself in Batman’s hide and seek skills and it makes me smile. I see myself in Superman’s love of ice cream, his awkward smile, and his introversion. I see myself in Wonder Woman’s dramatics over having her hair fixed and her adorable style. I see a touch of curl at the tips of Flash’s hair and I think he might be the one to get my wild curls, pale skin, and quite possibly my wild child attitude to boot. I love the feeling of seeing myself reflected in my children, it gives me a small picture of how God feels about us, His children. 

I know that God doesn’t love me any more or any less because of what I do (thank heavens!) Just like I don’t love my children who look nothing like me any less than those who do (I’m looking at you Batman and Wonder Woman). But I think He radiates with pride when I get it right and reflect him. When my life shows His love, His selfless service, His righteousness; the parts of me that others see and say, “She gets it from her Father.” Good news is that it’s pretty simple to reflect Him, “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 And when we do it, He beams, like a flashlight in the night.