Wisdom of the Child

A priest in his spirituality column in the Catholic Times mentions having the task to write an article for a magazine and goes to a large book store to get some  background information on the topic. It was  a weekday and bustling with shoppers. That morning, a very hot day, he had too much cold water to drink and his stomach was giving him trouble. He began looking for the lavatory signs.

Near the section for children, he spotted the sign. Children were on the floor reading books, playing,   mothers reading, and in groups whispering to each other. The priest went into the lavatory took care of his needs and while washing his hands heard some of the children talking while urinating. He listened carefully to what was being said.

One child: "My mother has a name card!" Apparently, the child was proud of the fact in having a mother with a 'calling card'.

Another child answered: " My mother doesn't have a card."

Another child's voice: " Hey,  a card means that she has much to do outside."

"Why?"

"Don't you know? She is busy and doesn't have time to play with you. With a card, she has to be outside and work."

The lad who volunteered the information on his mother having a card: "I hope my mother uses up all those cards."

The priest was flabbergasted by what he heard. They were kindergarten aged, and they knew what a 'calling card' meant and how difficult the world was in  which  adults had to work. They were concerned about their mothers, and even little children  were talking like adults.

Most priests and religious do not have calling cards. When they do have a card, it is not for business purposes. He observes that those kindergarten children in the lavatory had a better appreciation of what a 'calling card' means than those who have one. Life should be more than work, so he finishes the article with a prayer: "Lord who has tied us together as a family, help us to use up our calling cards and  have more time with our families, Amen."