Are You Missing It?

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I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom. 12:1-2 ESV)

“You’re missing it, Peter,” say Moira and her ninety-year-old grandmother, Wendy Darling, at different times, to a workaholic, grown-up, and, evidently quite forgetful Peter Pan.

In one of my favorite movies of all time, Hook, Peter Pan is now known as Peter Banning. Peter is missing out on time with his family, especially his two young children, Jack and Maggie, in his relentless pursuit of his career and financial success. Early on in the film, Pan’s arch nemesis, Captain James Hook, kidnaps Banning’s children in an effort to make him return to Neverland and finish their duel. Of course, even though he’s resistant to listen to or play with them at first, Peter’s old friends, Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys, eventually help him remember who he really is.

Peter has literally lost himself because he has succumbed to a love of money and worldly achievement. He has forgotten his true identity and origins. I often do the same. I sometimes get lost in my pursuit of what the world calls “success,” in earning fame and accolades as a writer and author. I often get jealous of the success of others or frustrated by my own lack of achievement and forget where I came from and why I do what I do. I continually have to remember that my purpose is to glorify my Creator, not myself. Pride gets in the way far too frequently.

When I lose my purpose, I am truly “missing it,” as Peter was. I have one short life to live on this earth, and an even shorter time to be the mother of my kids while they are little. I want to spend this time well, focused on things that really matter from an eternal perspective, not on silly, quickly fleeting concerns like fame and fortune. I don’t want to miss a single second of their youth, because I know it will be over in the blink of an eye.

It’s rather ironic that “grown-up” Peter is the one who misses the point. Maturity tends to come with age, but in Peter Pan’s case, growing older has only pulled him farther away from his own childhood, and thus, his children’s as well. In one scene, when they are on an airplane to London, a rather terrified and angry Peter tells his eleven-year-old son to “grow up,” simply because he is letting his fear of heights control his behavior.

I very much relate to his parenting failure here. I often let my anxiety about things that could go wrong in the near future dictate my behavior towards my kids, my husband, and others. I sometimes lash out in fear and anger as Peter did and have to apologize later. It turns out that growing older doesn’t always make you more mature.

I believe gratitude, not growing up, holds the key to real maturity. When we begin to see the goodness God has given us and learn to truly appreciate it, instead of constantly complaining and wanting more of whatever we think we don’t have, we find contentment, humility, and ultimately, maturity. This is how we avoid missing it.

Father, thank you for reminding us to hit “pause” on our worry and have gratitude for the blessings right in front of us in this moment. Please help us to not be conformed to this world, but instead, to seek your goodness in all things. Renew our minds so that we may discern your will for our lives instead of our own. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 ESV)

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17 ESV)

Reach for More

How can you be more present during this uncertain financial season rather than “missing it?” How can you give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed upon you and your family right now, in this moment? Ask God to grant you gratitude, humility, contentment, and maturity through this period of global and personal transformation.

Lauren Flake is a wife, mom to two girls, watercolor artist, seventh-generation Texan, and early-onset Alzheimer’s daughter. She is the author and co-illustrator of two award-winning children’s books for grieving preschoolers, Where Did My Sweet Grandma Go? and Where Did My Sweet Grandpa Go?, and the editor of Love of Dixie magazine. She loves green tea, dark chocolate, and collecting all things turquoise.