In our quest to please God, we often forget that He has a whimsical side.
After all, no believer wants to do anything that displeases God. It’s easy to see why people put serious rules upon themselves to stay in line.
But, what about whimsy?
Whimsy is not a word we tend to associate with God.
The definition of whimsical is – “an adjective that means unusual, playful, and imaginative.” That does describe God, doesn’t it (along with majestic, powerful, loving, etc.)?
Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Psalm 104:26 – “There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.”
Frolic. That’s another fun word. Here, it shows that play is also important to God.
And look at some of Jesus’ miracles; he turned water into choice wine (John 2:6-10) and he walked past his disciples on the water (Mark 6:48). Jesus mourned with us, taught us, but he also laughed with us.
Look at God’s creation. Is it gray and white like in old movies? Are the animals quiet and well-behaved creatures? No, He filled our world with bright colors and loud animals with unique features and voices. Think of a platypus. Would a god of no whimsy create such an animal?
Numbers 22:28 — “Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?’” What could be more whimsical than a talking donkey?
CK Chesterton argued that the universe is not a cold, mechanical machine, but a joyful, whimsical fairy-tale authored by a God who loves surprise.
I had a great aunt who took her faith very seriously. She lived it with stolid determination. Her hair was always in a bun and her feet were clad only in old-fashioned, black orthopedic heels. She was stern in her beliefs.
For her, there was no whimsy. Faith was a serious business. It was no laughing matter. No joy exuded from her and no feeling of love either. As she was my only relative who had faith, she confused me. Was that what Christianity was all about? I wasn’t sure I wanted any part of it.
Years went by and as I was drawn to Christ I too got caught up in rules. My very nature was humor and whimsy and yet I tried to make myself into something I wasn’t.
It was only through years of life lessons and better examples of faith-filled believers that I let any whimsy in. I was so tired of trying to cram myself into a place that wasn’t meant for me and I realized that God created me with a whimsical heart. Who was I to shut that down?
How refreshing it was to find joy once again and to realize that faith and whimsy can coincide!
Of course we can’t be whimsical all the time. There is certainly the need for seriousness too. But sprinkling a little whimsy into our lives is sure to add some zest to our faith walk.
Here are a few easy ways to start:
Put a ribbon on it – I saw an older lady in the grocery store the other day. She had put her lovely silver hair into two braids tied with pink ribbons. She smiled as she shopped and she brought joy not only to herself but also to all those who saw her.
It’s so weird, I must have it! – I have learned that when you see something that makes you laugh, it worth the money to buy it. I have a green dinosaur in my living room that roars when you shoot balls in his mouth. I also have an old sleeping granny. She clutches a tray of treasures on her lap. When you push a button she throws the tray and her goodies fly out and so do her dentures! I can’t help but smile whenever I look at these whimsical things. Sprinkle your home with things that make you smile.
Ann Kirsten
Put glitter on it – Feeling down in the dumps? Splash some glitter nail polish on. This is an old trick I use to cheer myself up. It works!
Cubbies – I have a set of cubbies in my entryway. I keep my whimsies in there and I change them out every season. They make me smile every time I walk by.
Ann Kirsten
Add color – I just bought emerald green eyeliner. I’m old. So what? I can still add color to my life (or buy yourself a lipstick in a bright new shade).
Me to a tee – Add color to your wardrobe. Find a tee shirt with a favorite cartoon character on the front. Trust me, you’ll get lots of smiles!
Sock it to me – Too shy to dress bold? Wear crazy socks! My son keeps me in weird socks. Anime, food items, shows we’ve watched together, ninjas, I have them all. And I once got a care package from my friend, Jayme, that was full of unicorn socks. Even hidden whimsy will brighten your day.
Ann Kirsten
Bare with me – Take your shoes off and walk in the grass. I feel so connected to God when I do it. You can literally feel His creation under your feet. And how whimsical is grass? It tickles!
Hang up – Hang wind chimes and bird feeders. You’ll fill your senses with whimsy.
Use the good china – Don’t have any? I don’t either. But I go to thrift shops and buy lovely pieces for mere pennies. My granddaughter loves eating off of them.
Mess it up – There is nothing more beautiful than a worn Bible. I bought a journaling one and I add pictures and stickers and notes to the margins. It is becoming very whimsical and I love it so much.
Church clothes – I went to a church in a different culture and I was delighted by their exuberance and the clothes they wore. The men had suits in every color and the women wore big hats. Too shy? Simply add a bright barrette or some sparkly earrings to your outfit.
As these examples show, adding whimsy to your life is easy. Let us not forget that our relationship with the Lord should include some joy and whimsy. It’s everywhere in His creation if you only look around.
- Zechariah 8:5 — “And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
- Nehemiah 8:10 — “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
- Psalm 65:12–13 — “The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!”
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Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
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