Let Them Be Kids: Adventure, Boredom, Innocence, and Other Gifts Children Need

by Jessica Smartt

We believe in adventure, embracing lives of wonder and joy. We believe in intentionality, in filling our time with things that matter—and sometimes that’s nothing. We believe in community, that real life is found with others. We believe in presence, in using technology as a tool to live well. We believe in stewardship, in using our stuff and money well. We believe in wisdom, enjoying media and books that make our lives richer. We believe in work, that there’s nothing like a job well done. We believe in integrity, that it’s okay to be different if it means you do the right thing. We believe in kindness and that friendship is one of God’s greatest gifts. We believe in respect, in treating others the way we would want to be treated. We believe in service and that the best way out of a funk is to help someone else. We believe in family and that we will always have one another’s backs. We believe in grace because we are forgiven, and we can forgive. We believe in purity and that real joy comes from obeying God. We believe in faith and that eternity matters most.