Sidewalk Chalk

Danger. Pandemic. Economic chaos. Unemployment. Medical supplies. Government over-reach or is it under-reach?

I saw some sidewalk chalk art on a driveway this week. Whatever kids lived there, I had never seen kids there, must have gotten bored with on-line education, playing video games or snap-chatting. And with no organized soccer games to go to, a working-from-home mom or dad must have finally said, “Get outside and get some fresh air!”

Sidewalk chalk drawings on the driveway.

Retro.

Acoustic.

Unperturbed.

Parents fussing, frightened, prognosticating, worried. Their child drawing smiley faces on the driveway

I remember two things from the pagan philosopher Epictetus. One of them is, “The only freedom we have is how we react to all the things we have no freedom over.”

What we are going through is surely not nothing. But it is not the end of the world. That will come with a shout, a flash and a trumpet call. Neither the former (what we are going through) nor the latter (the end of the world) are under your control.

So look to Jesus, say your prayers, love your neighbor, quit worrying, and go get some sidewalk chalk.

Might be one of the most significant things you do all week.

What have you found significant this week?