The Kite Principle (07/10/2025)

Yesterday after I checked out a post of a friend on Facebook, I scrolled down to the next post. It was about Dolly Parton’s tribute to her late husband, Carl Dean. She spoke of his constant and loving support. She said, “He let me fly while he kept me grounded.” And I smiled to myself. She and her late husband knew about “the kite principle.”

When I was raising my children, we frequently went to the city park and flew kites. I loved to do this with the kids; in fact, my trunk, during those years, always had at least one kite in it. And as we’d fly the kites and watch them soar, I’d remind the kids of “the kite principle.” The kite does best when it is held in the hands of one who lovingly supports its desire to soar but keeps it grounded. And I would remind the kids that I wanted nothing more than to see them soar in life, but that part of my job would always be to keep them grounded.

They liked the principle, in theory. They didn’t always like it in practice when I’d remind them that part of their life was taking care of themselves so they did need to eat their vegetables. And honoring the rules of the family were necessary because our lives are all about relationships, loving relationships, so they did have to do chores and help one another. They came to expect us ringside cheering them on and encouraging them in their efforts even in the wee hours of the morning as they were trying to finish a project. But they also knew that we were serious about being mindful of others, being careful for the well-being and others, and being loving no matter what arena they were in.

I must admit that I learned the rules from my father. No one supported my dreams more than him when I was growing up. He didn’t call it “the kite principle.” That came later. When I met my husband, one of the first things I learned to love about him was his understanding of “the kite principle” even though he didn’t know that’s what I called it. No one has ever believed in me more than him nor done more to help me soar. And he used primarily his humor to keep me grounded, to keep me humble, to keep me present.

I call it “the kite principle” because that’s what came to me one day while the kids were little and I was flying a kite by myself in the park. As I watched the kite soar and sway and dip and rise and felt it pulling on the string, seeking to go even further, even higher, I was struck by the realization that it was a metaphor for me and my relationship with the LORD. I recognized the LORD’s loving presence in the freedom and chances in this life that I had been given. But I also recognized the LORD’s loving desire that I stay grounded, recognizing my limitations, most especially my need of the LORD. From that day on, it became “the kite principle.”

Christ, Son of God, our brother and our Savior, called us to seek the best and most for one another. He began by commanding us to love one another – all others actually – and to love the LORD with all our being. Christ taught us that we will never truly be our best if we put down our humble recognition of the LORD and love for the LORD who created us though He did not need us and lovingly sustains us. He taught us parables such as the rich fool who built barns to hold his surplus grain rather than sharing it and without any concern for the LORD who made it possible not recognizing his own mortality (Luke 12:13-21).

As we continue our journeys of faith, may we be blessed by the loving companionship of others who seek to aid us in soaring but also who keep us connected to others and especially to our LORD. May we fly yet stay grounded.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.