The courage of a child

Feb. 6, 2011

It’s no secret. I watch a lot of TV. With both Nathan and I not feeling our best, that total goes up even higher. There were a couple things I saw this week that caught my eye. First were two commercials for a cholesterol drug. The premise of both were adults going back to some of their childhood play spots swinging over rocks or skating on thin ice, saying “what was I thinking taking such risks?” My initial thought was, you’re alive now, and if your biggest concern 50 years later is cholesterol you’ve lived a pretty good life.

The other show I saw for the first time (from start to finish) was Minute to Win It. This week’s contestants were a family of five sisters and brothers, (two girls, three boys.) Each one performed different tasks along the way, helping build money for the team. As the show went on, the risks mounted and the bigger challenges presented themselves. All seemed to stay calm, and the eldest brother got called upon more frequently. One at a time, he accomplished each task. During the interview part of the show (relatively early on) they each spoke about how they wanted to show everyone that just because they’re kids doesn’t mean they can’t accomplish the tasks some of the adults do.

Each one wanted to play their part where they felt comfortable, making sure the team did as well as possible. When it came to the last task, and they had three chances, all three boys wanted to take a shot. They knew the odds were against them, but they also seemed to know the old adage “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” The host seemed to be more and more impressed with the calm demeanor of any of the chosen teammate, and kept stating things like, “no one has done this on their first try, not even the adults.” “They’re the first to complete this task so quickly.” I think it just goes to show the restrictions we put on others, many times unjustifiably.

Children seem to know no fear. Each generation seems to see what someone can do at a given age, and there’s someone younger who learns the skill and expands upon it. I’ve given up watching the X Games, as it just dumbfounds me the “tricks” they attempt and hte winners accomplish. Imust be too old because most of the time I only see how much bodily harm they could get themselves into if the stunt doesn’t go as expected. Every time someone accomplishes a trick for the first time, it seems to become the standard for the next competition, and the winner is the one who can take it one step farther.

The same can be said of many kids with special needs. It’s very easy for a doctor (an adult) to say what these kids will never be able to do. What they would have to overcome is just too great, or his/her brain will never be able to handle the concept of … (fill in the blank.) Yet, time-and-time-again it’s kids who seem to overcome these obstacles.

I’m not saying that they do it on their own. Many times there’s teams of people: parents, teachers, therapists, doctors, churches, friends who all contribute, motivate, participate, fund and support. One-by-one, these impossibilities seem to find a way to be realized. Sadly, there’s usually no one standing there giving them a check for their accomplishment. Many times, it can cost the families a pretty penny to get to that point. However, when you can teach a child a life-skill, and get one step closer to independence, the cost and hard work is worth it.

Unlike Minute to Win It there’s can be expected a lot of failure along the way. It takes lot of picking yourself and/or the child back up, and having the courage to try again. The important thing is not to give up or say it can't be done. Those who have gone through these tasks before often use the example of what some kids learn after trying something 15-20 times, may take a special-needs child 100, 200, or 1,000 times to learn or master. No one ever promised life would be easy, but it's usually worth the effort.

Thinking of children's daredevil courage makes me think back to Matthew 19:14. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” We can't let our doubts get in the way of our dreams. We need not think of what hasn't worked before, but place our troubles and burdens with whom all things are possible. To face life with the courage of a child, able-bodied or not, will allow us to live life to the fullest. If we're willing to face our challenges head-on it's both amazing and encouraging where life's road may lead.

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