Smiling at the Future?

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.”*

     Our grandson, Elliot, had looked forward to his eighth birthday for quite some time. It was a momentous birthday in that he also “graduated” out of his car seat when he turned eight years old.

Elliot’s mom, Shanda, planned some special activities for the occasion, including letting him invite three of his second grade classmates to the movies on the day before his birthday. I went along to help with supervision and ‘crowd control.’ Fun for a retired second grade teacher!

     Before heading off to the movies, the boys, including older brother Nate, enjoyed cake and ice-cream and watched Elliot open his presents. There were a few minutes left to play upstairs in his bedroom. Elliot got upset because he felt like he was being left out by the others; however, his mother succeeded in getting him calmed down. After all, it was his party! Then, it was time to go.

     Since we arrived early, Shanda gave them some change to play video games. A car racing simulation, the ‘claw,’ basketball shoot and pin ball were their favorites. Money went fast! Out of the five, only Nate won something, maneuvering the controls on the claw to pick up a stuffed animal and drop it into the chute. It was a nice memento for him.

After the games, they all tried to cram into the photo booth for a photo shoot, but it was too small. Nate volunteered to stay out, while Elliot and his friends did various contortions before the camera. The pictures turned out funny—not a serious one out of eight pictures.

     When it was almost time for the movie to begin, Shanda led them over to the refreshment counter where they stood in line for drinks and giant boxes of popcorn to share. Then we filed into the theater where “How to Train your Dragon: Hidden World,” was being shown and settled down in a whole row of comfortable seats.

     The movie was fast moving, just right for young boys with plenty of fights, dragons and Viking heroes and heroines. Because the future didn’t bode well for the fiery flying beasts, they finally escaped to a hidden world beneath a giant waterfall that tumbled off the edge of the earth. It was a logical place for those who believe in the existence of dragons and also believe that the world is flat!

     By the time it was over, the kids were very drowsy, as were their chaperones. After Shanda dropped them off at their houses one by one, I headed home, feeling like a teacher returning from a field trip—tired but happy for the experience.

     The next day, Al and I attended a much quieter family celebration for Elliot! The house looked festive, with a huge number 8 and the letter E decorating the hallway outside his bedroom. Older brother Nate had even devised a special game of jeopardy that we played after dinner and more gifts. Elliot easily won—of course he was privy to some of the answers beforehand! It was an enjoyable evening for us all. Between the two parties, I think Elliot felt duly honored!

     Well, Elliot has his whole life ahead. But at this stage in life with more birthday celebrations behind me than those ahead, I find it easy to worry about things that could happen, not only to me but also to my loved ones. The future often seems uncertain, especially when health crises loom up or other unexpected setbacks happen.

     How can I be clothed with strength and dignity when I am weak, going through adverse circumstances, unsure of what to do or how to act? How can I, how can we, smile at the future, or as it is put in the New International Version Bible, “laugh at the days to come” when we have so little control of it?

     Smiling at the future doesn’t mean putting on a fake smile or acting happy when feeling anxious and scared. And laughing at the days to come doesn’t refer to an “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die” attitude either. When put in the context of someone who believes in and fears God, it connotes a deep trust and confidence that nothing can will ever separate us from His love. Smile at the future? Through Christ, we can!

*Proverbs 31:25 NAS Bible