Germa-phobe – by Theresa Casey
Being a germa-phobe has its ups and downs. Often, you find that you are one of the few who escapes the stomach flu that has been circulating the office. Other times, you find yourself panicking when you realize you aren’t wearing long sleeves, and you’re not sure how you will manage to open the door to the restaurant you are about to walk into.
The burden of being afraid of small living things that creep from one person’s hands to another is a heavy one, but in life, there often comes a point where we must ignore those fears and instead jump head first into them. This phrase became very literal to me this past week, as our church had its annual Kids Hope USA Christmas Party. Exciting? Absolutely. Horrifying? Yes, that too.
The reason I was completely petrified at the thought of this Christmas party was not because of the stampede of children I would encounter, or the crowd of parents that came with it – no, these things brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. What was keeping me from enjoying myself was the fact that I had just stepped into one of the towns most well known germ factories. Crazy Bounce.
This large building was filled to the ceiling with inflatable playgrounds for kids. According to our Kids Hope USA Director, “Adults can play, too!” Oh, the fear that ran through my veins then. Does she realize how germ-ridden and infectious these large jungle gyms are? I could almost feel the flu coming on right then and there.
I stood next to a few adults in the play area. Edie and her family hadn’t gotten to the party yet, so I had time to look around and survey the chaos around me. Kids were jumping in and out of inflatable tubes, sliding down massive slides and having races through an inflatable obstacle course. Mentors scrambled along with the kids, looking awkward and clumsy as they tried to keep their adult bodies balanced on top of air-filled trampolines. Not a single person looked worried. In fact, everyone was having a great time.
I looked towards the door just in time to see Edie and her Mom walk in. Her older sister followed behind. I went over and greeted them, introducing myself to her mother and sister. Meanwhile, Edie was tearing off her shoes and coat with reckless abandon, a huge smile planted on her face.
“Come on!” she said to me, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go play!”
At that moment, all of the germs in the world could have been dumped on top of my head, and it would have seemed trivial. I let Edie drag me to the top of the largest inflatable slide in the place. I followed her down, and promptly flew off of the end, past the cushion at the bottom, and landed on the hard floor. Edie doubled over in laughter, and I couldn’t help but laugh with her.
For the next hour, we went down every slide in the place multiple times. We competed with each other through the obstacle course, and even got her mom in on the fun. I truly felt like a kid again. I guess that can happen when you’re a childless, just-out-of-college, focused on your career and your new husband type of person. Things like cleanliness, work, money and acting like an adult become a priority over just having fun.
That night, we didn’t talk about anything serious; no conversation about teachers, homework or family. We didn’t have an agenda to follow or time slots to fill with academics and relationship building. It was simply carefree, not a worry in the world, fun.
Afterward, we had a snack provided by the Church – and I will admit, I made sure Edie washed her hands before touching the donuts. And yes, as soon as I got home, my clothes were in the laundry and I took a long shower. However, I don’t know if Edie learned anything that night, but I know that I did. It’s easy to forget how simple joy can be to a child. As adults, there are so many things that block our vision of happiness. Edie just needs a smile. She just needs to hear me say, “Edie, I would love to go down that slide with you.” and her face lights up with energy and joy.
It puts tangibility to the verses, Matthew 18:2-6. Jesus says that unless you, “change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” How true this is. It’s easy to be cynical, stressed and upset with life instead of being humble; embracing the joy and love from God through salvation. We have The Creator telling us how much He loves us, and wants to go down any slide with us, and we often worry so much that we sit on the bench. However, we are free. Free from the germs of sin, although we bath in them every day.
Thank you, Edie, for reminding me to play and rejoice like a child. Thank you for letting me love and celebrate life with you, even if it was in a germy place.