Symbols

If you have kids or have taught kids or were a kid, you can understand how hard the concept of symbols can be.  Recently my kids have been discussing symbols on a regular basis.  For Cub Scouts, we talk about the symbol of our flag which stands for our freedom(another totally easy concept to understand as a kid). We have talked about the symbol of baptism at church or the symbol of the cross in Mom's tattoo.  But really I think that they idea of symbolism had escaped them until last Friday in our pastor's office.

He pointed to his wedding ring and said what does this mean...they knew.  Then he took it off and asked "am I still married"...well coming from a divorced family that was a tough one...i am sure my little Paul's head was spinning going well Mom took one off and wasn't married to Dad anymore then she put a new one on and was married to Tom....so ...is he still married?  We decided on yes  - yes he is married regardless of his ring.  They got that!  It made sense.  Finally a symbol that they could grasp and hold onto.

We love symbols.  We attach them to holidays, we put them on our cars, houses, stationery, and bodies.  We think we know what they mean but like the ring if you took away your symbol could you say what was missing.  What does that rosary really mean?  If you never had another cross in your house, would everything in your life stay the same?  Would you still be married? Would you still be bound to the idea and the love that went with the symbol you lost?

Jesus was a symbol.  I explained that to the boys today.  In a vague bit of gory detail.  They both decided that  the symbol of the lamb was one they were glad was gone.  They didn't like the blood or the detail or that reliance on someone other than themselves for access to God.  They love the idea that they can wear Jesus just like I wear my wedding ring.  They can be clothed in Him and His glory.  November 6th they are symbolically dying...and symbolically rising.  I couldn't be prouder of the symbol they are choosing to wear!