Article March 24, 2008 Issue

A PRETTY COOL PLACE TO BE

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE REASON TO GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL...

BY SUSAN RYNERSON

ONE DAY when I was about seven years old, I was sitting in our family car, winding the automatic window up and down. Mechanisms like power car windows absolutely fascinated me—the way they worked, fitted so neatly in the narrow door cavity, etc. OK, so not everyone shares this specific interest with me, but who among us at some point hasn't seen something that made you say, "Wow, that's pretty cool. I wonder how that works?"

I also remember countless teenage days spent kicking around a soccer ball, shooting hoops, and practicing my saxophone. I often focused on the fundamentals of ball handling and musical scales. I put in this effort because at game or concert time, I wanted to be a substantial contributor to the way our team or group performed. If someone else's sport is swimming, or their instrument is a guitar, or if they prefer to focus on art or literature, I have to imagine they too want to make the most of their God-given talents.

Beyond those types of interests, who doesn't want simply to be happy and healthy, to experience freedom, and to have their basic needs met? Who doesn't want to have good friends and positive role models, and to help others in return? Nobody can deny that the world needs those things.