Do you enjoy playing it? I don't! I never have liked it and that opinion was confirmed this week while playing it with the little girls. You are already at the mercy of the spinner as to how many steps you take and, then, after working your way up the board....you land on a chute and end up back at the bottom. Whoever thought that was a fun idea? My observation is that it promotes frustration and a sense of futility. It isn't so much about the winning as it is about not being knocked down. I saw the look on their faces when they had to start over......over and over again. So, how has this aggravating game stayed around so long? I think the answer is hope. Every time we get the board out, we hope maybe this time........ I'll make it to the top without sliding down a chute.
Sounds a lot like life, don't you think? We are living our life, everything's going smoothly and then......POW! we get hit with a problem, a disappointment, a hurt. We feel ourselves losing our footing, losing our balance .....sliding down that chute.....until we hit bottom. We worked hard to get where we were.....financially, emotionally, spiritually, etc....and now we have to start all over again. How do we do it? Hope. We turn to our Heavenly Father, the God of all hope, and He restores and strengthens us. He "renews a right spirit within us"! He gives us "everything we need for life and godliness." And He uses those trips down the "chutes" to teach us patience and perseverance and to remind us of our total dependence on Him.
So, I guess the lesson is....if we accept the ride up on the ladder (the blessings), we have to accept the ride down on the chute (the trials). It's all a part of the game...and a part of life!
I played this with my 6 year old grandson last summer and he got so frustrated! I think he even cried! Just this week I played it with my five year old granddaughter and she liked it. I've never really thought about it teaching them life lessons... but you are right about that. I'll remember that.
ReplyDeletePriscilla Shires is calling those times "life interrupted" moments.
ReplyDeleteVery enlightening thoughts. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'll never look at that game the same again! Great analogy to life. Loved it! Thanks for some great insight.
ReplyDeleteI know we had the game, but I can not remember playing it. That is so nice how you help your son and his family. I would imagine it is not easy being a single dad.
ReplyDeletedenise
Have to admit - I've never liked that game. Never really knew why but, you are right, it is so frustrating....and not fun!:)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your thoughts on the game. I am puzzled that my little ones keep wanting to play it. Your analogy was so well thought out and worded. Thanks for the inspiration this evening.
ReplyDeleteI too, never liked the game. I remember having to play it sometimes in grade school. I love how you compared and contrasted it to the hills and valleys of life. If we don't walk in the valleys, we don't appreciate the hilltops.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit and your blog and I'm so glad I stopped by!
Great analogy...to the game of life!
ReplyDeleteIn Canada the game is called 'Snakes and Ladders'...and we roll dice. I like the idea of a spinner! My grandson isn't too great at reading the dice...and so I always tell him the number he wants to hear (not necessarily the one he rolled). So he always comes out the winner. I know...that is not at all true to the game of life!