We took Boy to the swimming pool the other night for the first time this season.
During his first summer, Boy enjoyed the swimming pool and even learned to float. We floated along the lazy river with him. We played in the children's area with him. He was even starting to learn to kick. He was comfortable with the water.
During his second summer, Boy did not want much to do with going into the pool water. He would put his feet at the edge -- a little bit -- and he would run around the pool and play outside of the water, yet that was his comfort limit.
This is Boy's third summer, and he was cautiously playing at first. Then he was all about the fun! He jumped into his Poppie's arms. He kicked his legs while we held him. He played with water toys. He climbed up the ladder and down the stairs. Boy even willingly went under water with me a couple of times while I held his nose. He was having a happy time.
Does this pattern of behavior seem familiar to you (minus the pool hair)?
Think about it. Do you ever discover something new and not really think about it at first? For whatever reason, you just accept it. Then, later, when you take the time to think about it, you are unsure if you are comfortable with it. You shy away. Finally, when you have more time to learn about it and "test the waters," you decide that it might be okay. Oh, and having someone by your side does not hurt.
A small child is learning about the things of this world. When a child discovers something, it may take them a while to understand it and accept it. As adults, we have an advantage because we have lived for many years and [hopefully] learned from many experiences. Sooo...what is our excuse for being so apprehensive when it comes to new and exciting possibilites?
Do we lack faith? Do we lack trust? Do we lack self-confidence? Why would we when we have someone who is with us and watches over us wherever we go?
My prayer for Boy is that my husband and I will raise him to know this and that he will feel confident in himself and secure in the Lord on whatever path he takes.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. -Proverbs 22:6
Me, of such little faith is visiting you today. This was the best message of the morning and God bless you for the perfecting time to post it.
ReplyDeleteIn the process of changing my job right now, it's been a journey of courage one day and lack of faith the next. You remind me that we still are God's children (his kids!) and we are able to make the big adult choices in life with God taking our hand...Faith reaches out and it feels like such a risk and then I find out, God is there, all the time. Thank God he never lets us sink and teaches us to swim!
Love to you and God's best for your day...
~Jacqueline at Once Upon a Fairyland~
I've always felt I fell short in the Faith department. I lacked self-confidence for most of the years of my life, mainly because I was married to a man for 36 years who beat me down (not physically) emotionally that he made me this way. But since I've been on my own for the last 5 years or so, I have gained such self-confidence. I guess I was forced into a situation that I'd never been in before and it was either sink or swim. I prayed to God for Faith and for Strength. He provided me with situations that would build my self-confidence and make me a strong person. I proved to myself (and others) that I COULD survive and I have! I really never thought I could, but with God's help, I am the strong, self-confident person I've always wanted to be. Now, I rely daily on God and what He provides for me to continue to develop as He would have me be. I'm a stronger Christian and I love life! I'm not by myself anymore, though, as of March 2009. I have a wonderful boyfriend who lives with me. He's, also, help make me a stronger person. Where I'm a dreamer, he's a hard-core facts-of-life person. His character has been really good for me. I feel sincerely that God brought Bobby into my life for a reason and that is why we are together.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying that there are times when I don't have the Faith I'd like to have, but I know NOW that when I feel that way, all I have to do it turn to God to give me the Faith I need. He always provides for me.
Thank you God for my new life, my greater Faith and mostly for my self-confidence! I am truly blessed and I owe it ALL to God!
God bless you ALL and keep you safe!
I pray for all of you every night, even though I've not even met some of you. You're all part of my family of friends who mean so much to me! Thank you for being part of my life. God has given me so many wonderful friends to communicate with and to love.
Freida ;-)
It is amazing to watch children and thier faith. I just look at my children and how much theay have already learned about Jesus and faith. During our prayers they already ask God to make "boo-boos" better or a family member feel better. To have a child's faith is a wonderful thing!
ReplyDeleteI think it has to do with people (myself included) not wanting to step out of our comfort zone. But that is the exact opposite of what Jesus said. We need to heed his call regardless of our own comfort.
ReplyDelete