Swings

Today at work I witnessed a 3 year old conquer his fear. This kid was afraid of the swings. And lets face it, if you're three and never seen a swing set before it can be a scary thing. He hasn't been interested in swinging since he arrived at the school this January. But lately he has opted to venture closer and closer. Today, he took the plunge. He decided to try it on his tummy. However, in this particular preschool that is against the rules. (Too many kids have gotten a face-plant I guess). I had to step in and remind him of the rules. However, when he decided he didn't care about the rules I had to stop his swing entirely. If you've never had a three old angry at you, try stopping their swing. The smoke starts coming out of their ears. I told him he had to swing the right way. After some tears he decided to try it. I helped him into the swing, seeing as it came up to his collar bone. His little hands were trembling and I could tell he was afraid of falling. Not to help matters, the kid next to him took a tumble off the swing that was going rather high. This kid left the swings with big monster tears falling from his cheeks. After that my little friend decided to do the belly ride again. Once again I made him cry by telling him he had to do it the right way. However, he decided to give it another shot. He hesitantly let me help him back in the swing. He told me he didn't want to be pushed. The little guy was shaking like a leaf, so of course I wasn't going to push him (I'm not that mean, even though I had made him cry a few times by now). I told him it was okay. He could sit there until he was ready, but if he changed his mind to call me. I went back to pushing other kids and listening to their giggles. I kept my eye on my little friend though. He sat there and watched me push his buddies. The other kids decided to slide, so I went back over to my friend. I asked him if he wanted me to push him. He looked in my eyes and I could see he was still afraid. I told him he didn't have to be afraid, all he has to do is hold on. I'll take care of the rest. I told him if it was to fast, to tell me. I wasn't going to walk off and leave him. He decided to trust me, and allowed me to give him a gentle push. I have never seen joy in a person the way I saw it in this boy's face. He was ECSTATIC! He was so excited.

I pushed him for a solid 30 minutes before his mom came to pick him up. By the time he left, he was glowing.

I couldn't help thinking how often I am like that little boy. Afraid of new things. Unwilling to do them God's way. I constantly want to do them my way, because I think it is safer (even though in reality it isn't). God is constantly saying "don't be afraid. I am with you. Just hold onto Me, and I'll take care of the rest." Yet, I am afraid. Afraid of so many things. The little boy was never in any real danger. I wasn't about to let this terrified child do a face plant in the dirt. I was right behind him. Telling him just to call out if he felt it was too much. Then it hit me, that is what God does with me about so many things. He is right there. Always. He tells us we can call to Him when we feel it is too much. Jesus is right there with you. If you have the Holy Spirit, He will NEVER leave you. Do you realize how powerful that is? Do you realize how HUGE that is? It blows my mind.

Personally, fear has taken hold of me in the past few weeks. Fear for my family. Fear of my future. Fear of what my life will be in less than a year and half. At times it feels overwhelming, but that God whispers "I've got you. I'm not going to leave you." If my little friend had not trusted me, he would not know the joy a swing set can bring. Much less the joy of conquering a fear. Trust. Another thing I realized was in this boy's mind the only way he could swing was if he did it 'my' way. He had to do it the way I knew to be best. How much I can relate to this boy on wanting to do things my own way. The fact that when I start going my own way, God takes my swing and nearly brings it to a complete stop until my attention is completely on Him. In order for it to work to the fullest extent, it has to be done His way. My mind has been blown.

So, here's to trusting God, my friends. May we be ever trusting. Resting in the promise that we are His.


"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord." -Jeremiah 29:12-13

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 14:27