The Good Stuff

Jigsaw puzzles and silly skits for kids

Jigsaw Puzzles

When I was a boy, when the extended family was together and we had a common gathering place, someone would often put out a jigsaw puzzle. Perhaps it enabled the introverts to hang out in the common room without the necessity of conversation. Several years ago, when some family was coming for a multi-day visit, I thought I’d give the jigsaw puzzle idea a try.

I happened to choose a very difficult 1000-piece puzzle, and we didn’t make much progress during the gathering itself. After everyone left, I decided to finish the puzzle. It took a couple of months, but I enjoyed it, and was in no hurry. As I thought about why this was an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes here and there, I concluded that it was because I have very few activities that require my brain to think about the shapes and colors of objects. There’s something refreshing about using your brain to do something it doesn’t normally get to do, as Jack explored in more depth in his post on practicing Sabbath a few weeks ago.

I like 1000-piece puzzles, and I usually pick one that is based on a great painting so I can enjoy how it comes together and how it looks at the end.

I should note that my younger son James looks askance at this practice, believing that it signifies my decline into the decrepitude of extreme old age. Perhaps he’s right, but I’ve thought it wisest to put my medical power of attorney in a different child’s hands.

- Jack Jr.

The Kids Camp 2025 skit crew

Being Ridiculous

Like many churches, my own church (Seacoast) offers vacation Bible school. We call ours Kids Camp and thousands of kids will participate. This is the fourth year I’ve been asked to act in the morning skits. It’s always an easy “yes” for me when they ask each year, though people seem surprised that I would do it. I often get asked if I actually enjoy doing it. I get it — I’m an introverted bookish guy, so being very silly on stage seems like the last thing I would want to do.

But I’m up for pretty much anything if the goal is making kids laugh. In my opinion, adults who don’t know how to be silly with and for kids are kind of useless. You’re not that important — get on the ground and play with cars or put on a silly hat and get hit in the head with a shovel on stage (the Kidscoast team seems to think it very important that I get hit by something each year). Personally, I strive to emulate Theodore Roosevelt, of whom a friend once said, “You must always remember that the president is about six.”

- Jack III