Trust falls.
I hated them. Always being a “bigger” kid, I was always
scared no one would catch me. Always. So I always offered to be the catch-er rather than the catch-ee.
That way, I could always be in control. I didn’t have to worry about who was
behind me, who would drop me, what the ground felt like when I hit or what
people would say when I fell. I got to control the conversation and instead
impress others by making sure they never hit the ground and felt the humiliation
I was afraid I would face.
It’s hard going through life like this. Trying so hard to
please people because you are scared of your own weaknesses or inadequacies. Feeling so intimidated that you are afraid to try new things – to live life
fully and without regrets.
But this is not the life God calls us to. He calls us to a
life of abundance, of plenty, of joy and peace and rest. We cannot do this – or
have any of this – if we are constantly living in a state of fear.
What are you afraid of? Here are some ideas…
Rejection. Do you
alienate yourself from others or refuse to let others see the real you because
you’re afraid they won’t like what they see?
Failure. Do you work
harder than most to prove you are capable of more than they (or you) thought?
Inadequacy. Are
you afraid that you just aren’t good enough? Not smart enough? Pretty enough?
Financially secure? Are your experiences limited to only doing those things you
think you do well?
Or maybe it goes beyond this. Maybe you’re afraid of the car
payment or mortgage that is due next month that you don’t know how to pay. Or
maybe you are afraid to ask your teen the real questions he needs to hear
because you’re afraid his answers will make you uncomfortable. Or maybe you
just found out you are pregnant and not sure what to do? Perhaps you're in a toxic relationship and afraid to let go because then you will be alone...
Let me tell you what my little boy is afraid of – NOTHING.
For months now, I have been astonished watching him as he plays. There are
times when I play with him, and confident that I am there, he will literally throw
himself backwards. He fully expects that whenever he decides to do this (laughing
the entire time) that I will be there, and that I will catch him. He knows that
when he hears Mommy’s voice, that I am watching and waiting on his every move.
And in his moments of glee, he launches himself backwards, into my arms, giggling
with delight. I then proceed to pick him up, hold him close, give him a kiss
and set him on his feet so he can keep playing.
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| Me and my son, Brody (11 months old) |
There are so many lessons we can learn just from watching
our babies. When we know the voice of our Savior, there is nothing – NOTHING –
that we need to fear. There is no bill too big, no challenge too great, no
relationship too difficult that He is not there to walk through it with us.
May we have such a relationship with our Lord that we
willingly, and without hesitation, launch ourselves into His mighty arms
confident that He will catch us – every
time.
“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow
with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
