Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley

Theology in the Trenches

By Kathleen Kjolhaug

 

3-D isn’t exactly how we see the life of others. As it should be; we don’t live it. We simply observe it on the surface, from afar.  On the other hand, our personal lives reflect the full five senses filled to overflowing. We taste, smell, see, touch, and hear that which we live.

Flat Stanley, a large paper cut out mailed round the world by many a classroom, gives credence to that which I write. Flat Stanley returns proof of his visits to faraway places as teachers send back maps of his new destination as a form of evidence that he has traveled a distance from whence he was sent. At times, tasty taffy is sent back on his behalf as he passes through a special state laying claim to such favors while reading of his excursions in Alaska helps paint pictures of distant lands. Tracking him helter-skelter around the U.S.A creates a sense of adventure for young learners. At times, he even shows up on the international scene, and postcards sent back reflect the wonder of it all. Thank goodness Stanley is flat. He can be deposited into an envelope and sent off to his next port of entry easily. Eager learners glean information from the stories written and retold as he travels to and fro.

It’s fun alright, but extraordinarily flat. No full savor because there is no reality other than words written upon pages from which to chew. Sort of like the time one of my own opened a cake mix. Upon the outside of the box was a tasty looking picture of a cake. After opening it, the little one peeking inside remarked, “It sure doesn’t look at all like the one on the box.”

Behooved…he began making it and soon, out of the oven came the final product looking much like the picture on the front of the box. It was stepping through the process of real life, real time that produced the product and enriched the memories.

So goes life. We struggle through many a birth and rebirths day to day and sometimes hour to hour. Those looking on have no clue of the internal growth, blessings, or lessons being learned within the soul. To others, we are “Flat Stanley.” To us, they, too, are “Flat Stanley” because we have not partaken of that which they have. And so it goes. It may appear we know one another. However, day in and day out we truly have no clue what those around us are being called to walk through physically, spiritually, or emotionally.

As we trod alongside one another, may we remember to step with compassion. Embracing, lifting up, and supporting helps lighten loads. No need to flatten Stanley further.

Matthew 11:29-30 reminds us. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Amen.