Do you remember the game “Hide-and-Seek?” We used to play a version of it that included a tin can and the phrase “Olly olly oxen free.” I could not find a historical reference for the phrase, though it might be from the German, ‘Alle, alle auch sind frei” or literally, “Everyone, everyone also is free.” Adults do not play hide-and-seek anymore - at least not for fun.
We would try and get every kid in the neighborhood to play. It was a blast. First we filled the tin can with a few rocks so that it made even more noise when kicked. There were hiders and one seeker. The one seeking would try and find the hiders. When a hider was found, they would have to go and wait by the can. If a hider could sneak up and kick the can undetected by the seeker, then all those who had been found could go hide again. We would play for what seemed like hours during the long and warm summer nights in eastern Washington. There was only one thing that seemed to ruin the game and that was the one kid who hid so well that he/she could not be found. We were sure that they had violated the rules and gone inside for some ice cream or something. Sometimes even after the “Olly, olly oxen free” phrase was shouted this kid would refuse to come out. This eventually led to an argument where the person who was not found would be called a cheater and accused of playing unfairly and threatened to be branded eternally “it” if they could not play fair. Many wished that the kid would just get found so that the game would not be stalled. So often this meant our game turned into “Hide-and-Seek-and-Yell.”
Lately, I have been reminded how well people can hide, and how easy it is to overlook the people around me. There are probably many reasons why people choose to hide. Especially when life has been hard, lonely, or when difficult circumstances have brought hurt, sadness, and pain. There are those who often prefer to be overlooked, unseen, hoping to go unnoticed. These are the kinds of people I wish could get found.
I know a few people who are dealing with some tough experiences right now, and sadly they keep the secret. Some marvel at the strength of the person who keeps it going and bears the burden alone. Others are sad and disappointed because they can offer help and are not allowed for these people hide too well. Getting found would force them to stay in the game. Hide-and-Seek grown-up style - wanting to hide - needing to be sought - confused about being found. “I don’t want anyone to know.” “What will people think?” “I don’t want to bother anyone.”
It is time to change the game. Let’s move on from hide-and-seek to sardines. Sardines is a game where you go and find a person and then hide with them. I think God is a sardines player. He wants everyone to be free so that when “Olly-olly-oxen-free” is in the air everyone gets found.
Thanks for reading.
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