Audacious, Unwavering Trust! I Want to Live Like That!

We've all been part of coaxing our little one to take that first step "Trust me! I won't let you fall!" Or that little new swimmer-in-training "Let go of the wall! I've got you! Trust me!" Or that high flyer when Daddy says, “Jump! Trust me!” Those walk-of-faith, swim-of-faith and leap-of-faith times mean the child has to put aside all inhibitions and fears. But, no problem. She has child-like faith. That faith that shows all-out, undaunted trust that her mommy or daddy is going to catch her. And she takes that first step or dog paddles in that pool or jumps to her beloved daddy. No fear – only trust! And sure enough, she lands, safely in her father’s arms.

Remember that kind of trust? We had that trust because of the secure relationship we had with our parents. We completely trusted their words and promises. Did we ever think our father would miss us, and let us fall? Not hardly. We believed, and we had faith because we trusted in who he was to us.

I know there are those who didn't experience the love of a Godly father like this, but I know how we all can know this love. That’s the kind of faith we can, and should, have in our Heavenly Father. Having childlike faith isn’t perfect faith. There's room for doubt, but the doubt doesn’t win – hope, trust and faith prevails and wins! What pleases God the most is our heart of sincerity that says, “God, I know You have my best interests at heart. Please bolster my faith in You." He answers that kind of prayer. Bottom line, no matter how impossible our situations may seem, if we have that unwavering faith of a child, we believe and know He will catch us and put us on a straight path!

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust Him." Psalm 91:1,2

And, there is something so precious about the thought of getting to be a child again, and knowing we have a Father who will take care of us. He can bear the burdens of life while we can just enjoy ourselves, like we did when we were children, without having to worry about the nitty-gritty details. God will take care of all that. We don’t need to perform, we don’t need to be constantly striving for this or that; the burden is on God’s shoulders -- not ours. Audacious, unwavering child-like faith. I wanna' live like THAT!

Matthew 18:3 "And Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Staying Alive Ah Ha Ha Ha Staying Alive!

Day 198 of Photo Inspirations -- Staying Alive ah ha ha ha Staying Alive!
Remember that Bee Gees Disco song from the 70s?  It's funny that song came to me when I sat down at my computer to type my post for today.  I can't think of a better way to say "I'm stayin' alive while I'm alive!"   I'm saying that because I'm embracing this season of my life so much.  I've always loved children.  I started baby sitting for 50 cents an hour when I was 12 years old.  My husband and I deliberately started our family when I was 18 and he was 19.  We added 80+ kids to our world when we started a day care center a few years later.  We thoroughly enjoyed our own children and grandchildren, and in this sweet season of my life, God has ordered up lots more of those little darlings into my world.  I am constantly reminded how much He wants us to be like little children in our joy and faith.

I fell in love with my friend's new grandson a couple of weeks ago.  I held and cuddled him and it helped satisfy my longing arms for holding a baby again. There is nothing so therapeutic.  My little great niece is two now and I love to go see her weekly. How quickly they transform into little people in such a short period of time. Hanging around her makes me silly.  I do all  kinds of wild shenanigans with her.  At almost 93 now, I've seen how my mother-in-law has gotten so much "younger" in heart and spirit as she enjoys this precious little great granddaughter.

Another set of kids in my world are my godson and his siblings.  Last Saturday we played pickleball, hide n' go seek, putt putt golfing, swam and other silly fun things.

I love going to Texas to hang with my grandson and granddaughter there -- they've recently been in musical theater performances as well as speech and debate competitions.

And, now, for the next two weeks I'm hanging with my Washington family -- lots of boys in the house -- and, oh my, how I love the high spirited and high energy of boys.  I loved catching up on the hugs with them last night -- telling the "Super Brennan, Super Bryson" stories.

There is nothing that can compare to spending time with children.  We see such innocent, care-free, joy-filled, energy and excitement in them.  They exude hope and expectancy:  first words out of my youngest grandson when I arrived...."Nana, did you bring us something?"  Of course I did.  I love that.  His expectors were up.  Living in faith isn't a big deal for them.

If life has become monotonous, dull, boring, and you've just quit living out loud, then consider hanging out with children.  Capture some of that light-heartedness that they possess and they have more than enough to share with us.  It's not foolish and immature to spend time with them.  In fact, it's probably one of the most close-to-the-heart-of-God thing we can do.  I promise you, you'll learn something from their life of freedom and care-less attitude.  "And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:2-4.  Yes, I'm staying alive and enjoying every minute of the LIVING!