Where The Wild Things Are

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I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University, where I met my wife. I love God and I love the three girls in my life. The rest is just details.

Where the Wild Things Are shaped me and gave me a framework in which to understand grace. The book grabbed my heart as a boy and has not let go because, as an adult, I know that I need grace now more than ever.

When I was a boy I found Where the Wild Things Are. I used to check it out of our school’s library as often as possible. I would read it over and over again. I would examine the pictures and delight in the story of Max. Even though I never chased my dog with a fork or threatened to eat my Mom, I felt like I understood Max.

I admired him for his bravery. I wasn’t sure if I would get in a boat and set sail like he did. I respected him for being able to tame the wild things with the magic trick of staring into their eyes without blinking once. I wasn’t sure I would be able to do that. I was mesmerized by the three beautiful pages that made up the wild rumpus. I would make up a drum beat as I slowly turned the pages. “B-dum, b-dum, d-dum dum dum dumm,” I would hum as the wild things and Max swung from trees and danced in the dark.

I’m not sure if I was ever as wild or as brave or as exciting as Max, but I think a small part of me wanted to be. Yet I was certainly in trouble as a kid. There were many times that I was sent to my room. There were many nights I spent in fear of what I had done wrong, or frustrated by the tasks I left undone, the homework I lost, or the messes I had made. There were certainly times that I wished that my ceiling hung with vines, and hoped my walls would become the world all around.

I was Max. Hell, I am Max.

In many ways I am still that boy full of insecurities and doubt. I am a grown man now. I have a beautiful family. I have wonderful friends and a meaningful job that provides for all of my needs. Yet Max still resides in me. There are still times I want to put on my wolf suit and make mischief of one kind. And another.

I still make messes. I still leave things undone. I’m still frustrated by missed opportunities, hurt feelings, and lost homework. Like Max though, there is something waiting for me.

Max went on his great adventure. He tamed the wild things. He howled at the moon. He was king. Yet it wasn’t enough. It left him feeling empty and alone. The wild things could never love him. Life is more than a wild rumpus. Then from very far away, Max smelled good things to eat. So he went home. The wild things protested. It’s not easy to leave things behind, even if they’re destructive. But Max said, “No.”

So he gave up being king of the wild things and went home. Eventually, he made it back to his room.

To me, this is the story of Max. It is a story of grace. It is a story of redemption. It is a story of messing up, wandering away, burning bridges, and ultimately finding grace. It is a story of coming home and taking off the wolf suit to find supper waiting. This is why this is my story. This is why I am Max. I knew that no matter how far I wandered, no matter how wild I acted, that my supper would always be waiting for me.

Today, I am a father. I read to my daughters. I read to them about Green Eggs and Ham, about a llama in red pajamas, about a fancy girl named Nancy, about a curious monkey, and all sorts of wonderful things. We have adventures every night, but my favorite adventure is still the ones we take to Where the Wild Things Are. It’s funny though -- I haven’t bought the book.

I guess I’m hoping that they find it in their school library someday and discover for themselves about Max. I hope someday that their ceilings hang with vines. I hope someday they can get in a private boat, and sail off into the night to Where the Wild Things Are.

Above all, I pray they know that no matter how far they wander, no matter how long they’re gone, no matter how wild their rumpus might be, their supper will always be waiting for them.

And it will be hot.

~ Guest perspective by Robb McCoy reflecting on the recent death of Where The Wild Things Are author Maurice Sendak.

More: God in our lives

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Originally Posted: May 17, 2012

Comments

CAHarp on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 6:22am says

Robb - I struggle with raising a child who will be a thinking individual and a follower of Christ.As a parent, I struggle against most majorinstitutions which would teach my child to quietly behave and fill in the proper oval with a Number 2 pencil, as opposed to blazing new trails, or exploring an unlikely path, regardless of the potential for "success." I think "Wild Things" offers a kid friendly model of such exploration, with the safety of a welcoming return. Additionally, In Christianity, as well as in America, we hopefully value the nonconformist. Anyone God ever called to do His work had to get out of his/her comfort zone. Thank goodness for all gentiles that Peter and Paul didn't think or act like The Establishment, and I love this quote from Mark Twain,"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform." Furthermore, when all discussion with someone unreasonable seems fruitless, I love that Twain also said, "All right then, I'll go to hell."

jsmom2 on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 1:01pm says

You are spot on, Robb. I fell in love with Max all over again when I became the parent of two boys. Our children will make their own decisions, for good or ill, no matter "how well" we raise them. I'm with you that I want them to know that supper will always be waiting. Open2Him, I see the Prodigal Son all over Max, also. Superman, I respectfully disagree with your conclusions regarding Robb's intentions. Where did Robb indicate that he will not instruct his lovely children in good moral conduct? And none of us "want" our children to mess up. But the reality is, they do. We do. Sounds to me like he is wishing they "discover for themselves" the grace and love that is Christ. As much as we would wish otherwise, Proverbs 22:6 is not necessarily a promise. Wise advice, yes, but not a promise. I've seen too many kids from "good" families take a wrong turn along the way to believe that anymore. Way to go, Robb. Loving your children in good times and bad does indeed please and honor the Lord.

Rev Cori on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 12:44pm says

Superman, I read your comment with a sense of amazement. When I hear the story of Max I hear clearly the story of the prodigal son - or better titled the prodigal Father. In this post, I heard a wonderful account of a man who is deeply involved in the lives of his daughters and reads to them each night. As far as the text allows, he shows himself a very good father. But he also knows that life is full of joy and adventure, on the good side. I lay odds that he also knows that all sin and fall short of the glory of God, on the other. In my liturgical mind I see the meal that calls us all home as the Eucharist and hope that no matter how far we are from all that love us, that meal will always be waiting and calling and gracefully given. No one hopes that their child will take up reckless or dangerous living, but we all hope that those who do will find their way back home.

jsmom2 on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 1:06pm says

Wow, so many of us see The Prodigal Son in Max. Funny how God works :)

Open2Him on Fri, 06/29/2012 - 12:09pm says

I think we all feel like Max sometimes! Such a strong correlation with the prodigal son. I thinks it's great that God is able to speak to us, even in the most usual ways and places. Should my kids disregard my exceptionally sound parenting advice regarding proper moral conduct, and decide to explore the world, I too pray that they know that I will always love them and care for them and pray that God leads them home with grace by any means possible.

Superman on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 8:02am says

Maybe you should re-examine your favorite children's book! The author was gay. And the book promoted being wild and different from standard morals. Why would you want your daughters to "mess-up", to "wander away", to "discover for themselves", to go on a wild rumpus ("no matter how wild their rumpus might be")?!? Sounds like you are a lousy parent to not instruct your children in good moral conduct. Good moral conduct that is pleasing and honoring to the Lord.

mrsws21 on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 2:57pm says

Dear Superman, While I suspect that you are nothing more than an internet troll, just in case you are not I feel compelled to respond. You must be Jesus. You must be without sin, without flaw, you must be the perfection that God only put in one human. You must be Jesus and we have failed as a whole an entire world to realize your presence on earth. Oh wait,that is right you are not Jesus. Which means you have failed, you have sinned, you have gone down a path that God would not want for you. You are not perfect, and your comment is far from Christ like. You can't possibly truly study the bible because you would know that Jesus himself, our lord and savior asked the religious leaders to cast the first stone upon the woman if they had not sinned. Unless, I am mistaken not one of them threw a stone. God clearly states over and over and over again in the bible, that while you may wander away he is still with you AND he will always want you back. I am just a broken sinner, who loves her God passionately but I am pretty sure Superman you don't know God.

Morgan Guyton on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 12:44pm says

I guess the reason you call yourself "Superman" is because of the God-like authority you give yourself to make snippy judgments about someone else you know nothing about. I pray that one day you will be delivered from your bitterness and discover the salvation that Christ has for you.

RethinkChurch

Where The Wild Things Are

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