Two people sit in two chairs having a brief chat before they part ways.
"How are you doing?"
"Good."
"Are you having a good time at the retreat?"
"Yes."
"Great. Me too."
"Awesome."
The conversation could have ended there. But then it happens. I lift up my hand as though I am holding a small figurine and raise my voice to a squeaky pitch to say,
"I guess I need to go meet Ken, now. See you later, Barbie."
It was a joke. I mean, what teacher really plays with barbies? Not me. Until the Secondary Retreat.
The 12th grade student seated next to me laughed and picked up her very own 'invisible barbie.' (Please take note that all of these things were said in a high pitched squeaky voice-- it doesn't have the same effect without it!)
"Hey Barbie, does it ever get tiring standing on your toes all of them time?"
"Eh, nah. I am kind of jealous of the new barbies that have flat feet, though."
"Jealousy is a sin!"
" . . . Oh, yeah."
"Where is Stacie?"
" . . . oh, her head fell off. So, she's going to get it reattached at the doctor."
Within minutes other people were wondering what we were doing. More students came over. Once they figured out the "rules" of our new game, they were quick to join in! By the time we were done we had 10 students, including 2 male students, playing invisible barbies at the CISP secondary retreat. (And no, the students weren't out of alternatives. There were plenty of other activities that they could have participated in!)
We had a blast! In fact, we're still talking about our spontaneous game of invisible barbies weeks later! (And, some of the school's board members are still questioning my sanity-- it was a risk I knew I was taking. ;-) )
Why is it that a bunch of 7th-12th grade students could have so much fun playing a game of invisible barbie dolls? Maybe it brought back fond memories of their childhoods? Or maybe, it was an excuse to use the creative minds that God has given us.
I think we forget that our imaginations are a gift. We think that only little children can use their imaginations. Last week our Pastor at the International Church of Prague opened his sermon with a reminder that God gave us our imaginations. We can use these imaginations for good or for evil. (He spoke of the people of Israel designing a Golden calf, trying to put God into a visible form, as an example of "imagination used wrongly") Yet, our God is a creative God. He designed the heavens and the earth; The Bible tells us that "the heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1). And, He made us in His image.We are a creative people; we glorify Him when we make use of our creative imaginations.
This semester my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English classes have been working on creative writing journals. Each day I provide my students with a creative writing prompt. They have the choice to use this prompt or to write a "free write" on another topic. Some of the prompts we have written on include:
" You just discovered Peter Pan’s Never-land…. children NEVER grow up here! Would you choose to stay in Neverland, or would you come back like Wendy? (Does this remind you at all of Tuck Everlasting?)"
Mr. Chumbley’s (Our school Principal's) roaring laughter is heard echoing down the hallway. You decide to check it out. You walk down the hall towards his laughter and begin to see smoke coming out of the science lab…. you begin to get a bit nervous. You open the door slowly… and…. (finish the story)
A letter of complaint: Imagine that you are one of the passengers on the train in Around the World in 80 Days when the track runs out. You were not informed in advance that the train would not end in Allahabad! Write a letter of complaint to the railroad company explaining your situation and asking for compensation. It should be indignant (annoyed, frustrated), but formal.
(and, finally, one of my favorites...)
So, your mom and dad glued your bed to your ceiling while you were at school today. You still need to sleep in your bed, and make your bed every day. (They said that this was done to help you to “think creatively.”) How would you handle this situation? How would you get into bed each night? How would you make your bed each morning?
My students have done an amazing job of making use of their imaginations! I hope to publish some of their journal entries on my blog in the near future.
My English classes have also spent a significant amount of time creating and performing their own skits based on our novels this semester. The 6th graders are finishing a unit on Tuck Everlasting right now. They chose significant events from the novel, arranged these events in chronological order, and created short review skits based on the novel. We had so much fun!
(Can you find Winnie Foster? The Man in the yellow jacket? Grandma Foster? . . .
Aren't these kids too cute for school?)
The ultimate point is this: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23). This includes our work time and our leisure time: our creative writing journals and our invisible barbies.
. . . You can never grow too old to glorify God by making use of the wonderful imagination that He has given you!
Bethany Dillon's Imagination
I need to be reminded of who I was
When I took my first steps out the door
All I said now follows me around
I'm reminded I'm not like that anymore.
I uprooted and miles behind me
Are the faces and the home I love
You've brought to my attention
I'm slowly changing and becoming
What I wanted to stop.
Isn't that just like a finite mind
Setting out with such righteous indignation
But now I'm at your feet
Could you look at me with some imagination?
The bush before me, I slip my sandals off
I only stopped to look
In the depths of the sea, in the midst of a great storm
I run, I run from you.
Isn't that just like a finite mind
Setting out with such righteous indignation
But now I'm at your feet
Could you look at me with some imagination.
So remind me why you woke me up
And why you wake me every morn
The staff in my hand
Held in by your love
Just stay close, stay close.
Because I know my own mind
I set out with righteous indignation
But when I'm at your feet
Please look at me with some imagination
With some imagination.
He imagined us all into existence -- he "woke us up" and "wakes us every morn." And, he continues to look at us each and every day with His wonderful imagination.
Pictures from the Fall Secondary Retreat, 2010
(Designing Face Masks -- they looked great when they were painted in the end!)
(Making use of fall leaves . . . )
(hiding in fall leaves . . . )
(Finding new uses for pipe cleaners!)
(And, more new uses for pipe cleaners!)
