"Where the Wild Things Are”

The world of children’s literature lost a great author/illustrator yesterday. Maurice Sendak died from complications of a stroke. He is best known for his book “Where the Wild Things Are”. When the book first hit the shelves it was actually banned from many libraries and received dismal reviews from critics.  But the kids loved the book and the adults finally began to recognize its value. In it we find the tension of fear, anger, courage, and comfort. In it we see a bit of our own struggles as adults.

The book tells the story of Max, who one evening plays around his home making "mischief" in a wolf costume. As punishment, his mother sends him to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious, wild forest and sea grows out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things. The Wild Things are fearsome-looking monsters, but Max proves to be the fiercest, conquering them by "staring into all their yellow eyes without blinking once", and he is made "the king of all wild things", dancing with the monsters in a "wild rumpus". However, he soon finds himself lonely and homesick and returns home to his bedroom where he finds his supper waiting for him, still hot.

We worry and fret over the “monsters” in our own lives. We do our best to “stare into all their yellow eyes” day after day. But what we really want is to feel as secure as Max with our warm beds and a hot supper waiting for us. So, what can we do? Matthew 6:25-34 is titled “Do Not Worry” in most bibles. You’ve probably read it. But I invite you to live it. Print it out and put it on the refrigerator. Make it a part of your very being. Fear is no fun. God invites us to a “wild rumpus” to dance with him. Its time.

See You Sunday!
Missy