The Story of the Swing

When we first dedicate a playground, we do so with a ribbon cutting ceremony. In those moments, surrounded by laughter and anticipation, it’s difficult to imagine the fear, violence, and conflict every one of the children there has experienced. With scars so deep, it would be easy to assume that hope is irrelevant, a forgone luxury for these children.

Yet the joy and community that blooms at these playgrounds tells a very different story. When we ask the children what their favorite part of the playground is, they almost always say, “the swings.” When we ask why, they say, “I feel like I’m flying,” or “I feel free!”  For most of these children it is their first time every being on a swing. For others it’s the first playground they’ve ever seen.

The playgrounds tell a new story in these children’s lives: a story of God’s provision for the brokenhearted and a story of newfound hope. “He will wipe away every team from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there by mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 ESV)