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For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to live in a storybook.

Children's shows appealed to me long after childhood due to the seeming calmness in the world they were set in. Shows and books like the Berenstain Bears. Talking creatures living in tree houses with little more to worry about than a simple problem that could be easily resolved within 30 minutes or less. There is no hurt or sorrow. It's just simple and easy.

I've always looked at my daydreaming tendencies and love for children's things to mean I was creative and just made to work with children. I have found this to be true. I find it easy to work with children and try to see into their interests and worlds. It's why I became a teacher and I think it's why I find it so easy to be content as a stay-at-home mom.

In darker periods, I've viewed these same things to mean I was immature and stupid. In these moments of self-wallowing, I was left wondering why I didn't want to do the "adult" things. Why instead of going out and socializing at some adult activity would I rather sit and read a middle-grade novel? Why choose to let my toddler watch shows from my childhood that brought me such a sense of interest instead of just letting him watch whatever is popular so that I can be disconnected and scroll social media?

While I've gotten more comfortable with who I am and what I like, especially after finding more like-minded people, I've also just realized something over the last little bit. The reason I long for these calming and magical fairytale worlds is that I was made for something beyond what this world of reality can ever hold.

And so are you.

We are taught to be contented in life with what we have and yes, to a point that is true. But we as humans find discontent so easily, even when all of our basic needs are being met because we have this eternal longing for more. And it's natural because of the way we are created. I think we probably all crave different things but in unison, we all crave to be in a place that is perfect.

But perfection is impossible here on earth.

A sermon preached at our church brought this point up not long ago. The reason we are not content with earthly things is that we were hardwired to crave eternity with our Creator in a place that is exactly what our heart's deepest desire is, perfection.

I'm not saying this is an excuse to be grumpy and ungrateful because it isn't. God gives us more blessings than we could ever imagine here on earth. We are called to be content with what we are given. I find myself to be a content and grateful person with my life and with the things God has given me (most of the time). But there is always that small desire for something more that I don't know how to achieve and it's because it's something that will only come upon entrance into heaven.

As I look back on thinking about this desire to be immaturity, I'm actually beginning to feel as though it's a spiritual maturity. A true desire that I'm finally able to recognize and pinpoint. And that is the want for eternity with my God.

"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:15-17

Until next time.

*Image from Unsplash