Faith Like a Child

Just a couple of weeks ago, we found ourselves in a hotel, which really means we were in the pool past Karson's bedtime helping him learn how to swim and trying to catch him when he spontaneously jumped in. I am amazed at his courage, is this the same kid that 2 summers ago wouldn't jump in? Well it was just Karson and I in the pool and as I said, he enjoys jumping in, I always have to remind him to wait until I am looking and near him so I've taught him to count before he jumps. This gives me at least 1.5 seconds to get to him where he is. He jumps and trusts...oh, I don't think he knows he is trusting, but he's not at all worried or concerned with making sure I will catch him. He just jumps! He jumps without hesitation, he jumps with gusto, he jumps to make a big splash...yet, never asks before he jumps, "Are you going to catch me this time mommy?" Why? Because I have always caught him, I have always been there when he needed to be caught. What faith he has in me as his mommy. He trusts without question. Do I have that kind of faith in my Father? Do I have the faith to jump and believe that I will always be caught without asking, "Daddy will you catch me this time?" I should because I have always been caught when I jump in faith. History proves that God will catch me. History and relationship. Jesus once said to the disciples when they couldn't drive out a demon..."it is because of your little faith, for I assure you: if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain to move and it will move. Nothing will be impossible." (Matt. 17:20) I want to move mountains with my faith, I want to jump without hesitation, without question, without fear...

Before we got out of the pool, Karson went to the shallow step and proclaimed, "I'm going to walk on water." He put his foot confidently on top of the water and it sank, he went under. He came back up truly surprised and said, "oh, I can't" I wonder if he really thought he could, I wonder if he really thought he could and it would have brought glory to God, maybe he would have walked on water. He had already shown faith, and taught me much, so maybe walking on water wasn't necessary.

Who do you Imitate?

Being the mom of a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old, I have observed that whatever the 4 yr. old does the 2 yr. old inevitably thinks she can do too. She runs with gusto after a tall hill, or mounts up on a see saw or the back of a ride on truck, believing that she too can do it, solely based on the fact that he can do it. If Karson can, Karis can, or she will attempt it without reservation. Does she think that if he makes a choice to do something that it is a good choice, that it is obedient, that it is safe? Does she ponder what the consequences will be? Does she make a well thought out decision based on research and others' opinion? While this would be necessary in lots of adult life decisions, it doesn't occur to her in her 2 yr. old decision making skills. If Karson is going down a tall slide, she wants to...if Karson makes a silly face or silly noise, she mimics him exactly, if Karson is banging his cup on the table, she does too...How do I wield such influence as a 4 yr. old has on a 2 yr. old? How can I look at my kids and tell them, like Paul said in the Bible, do as I do? Am I making choices and decisions that model loving Jesus in a way that I can say to my kids, imitate me, copy me, do as I am doing? I want to be that kind of mommy, that can of person in love with my Savior so that I can say to my kids..."therefore, I urge you to imitate me," (1 Corinthians 4:16)

"Be imitators or God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loeved us and gave himself up for us..." (Ephesians 5:1-2)

life to the full

While putting Karson to bed (where deep conversations seem to happen) Karson said, "I want to be a teacher, then a race car driver, then a doctor, then a fire guy, then a basketball player...but I don't think I have any basketball shorts." I like that the sky is the limit with kids, that no matter how impossible having those 5 careers are in my 3 decade old logical mind, Karson really thinks these things are not far fetched simply because he wants to do it. He thinks of something else he'd like to do and adds it to the list, not replace something, but adds. What if my daily thoughts were more like this, as if all I need to follow my dream or live life to the full wasn't so much about a half empty glass, but a half full glass? What if I thought I will do xyz and not let anything stand in my way. I want my life to be life to the fullest and not miss anything because I think it is impossible. I have learned a lot from my husband in this area too, enjoying spontaneity and enjoying doing a little more work for a lot more fun. I want to think if only I had basketball shorts...and figure out how to get some.