After a dozen zoo trips in his second year, Thomas decided at three that he would feed the giraffes by himself. I’d held him while the imposing head reached through the rails and the long black tongue snaked out to take the greens from my outstretched hand. He talked about it after each visit, claiming next time he would try it. Three or four next times came and went until our last visit. I made sure he chose a pile of greens from the tray with larger pieces. Amelia was with us, giving him courage. He made several clumsy attempts, dropping one leaf after another to the ground, our giraffe aiming to catch each one before he finally landed one squarely onto his mark. His eyes lit up and he could barely contain his excitement until the rest of his leaves and Amelia’s were fed. Then he ran to his momma amid peels of I did it! I did it!
This has been a year of firsts. Thomas decided he would jump from the side of the pool by himself almost as soon as we started talking about a beach trip. Life vest on, he started at the step and pushed off to float in the deep end. Once he was convinced that the vest would keep him afloat, he ventured to the side. He scooted in several times and then jumped holding my hand before finally taking the plunge. Once he decides he will try something, he tells everyone, then he does it. He talked about being tall enough to slide on the bigger slides at the water park during and since our last trip. This week he tried them both. He reminds me so much of his mom. She’s always been very deliberate, thinking and planning long before doing.
We have this idea that faith is supposed to be easy if you’re doing it right and that fear and trepidation somehow means you’ve got it all wrong, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Some things, answering Jesus’s knocking at my heart’s door, being baptized, making my wedding vows to my husband before God, or dedicating our children to the Lord were simple and joyful expressions of my faith, but others have required intense battles with my will and my reason, my heart and my emotion. Dedicating my children was easy. Daily passing the torch, walking out of spiritual disciplines in front of them, was much more challenging. Making my marriage vows was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Loving and cleaving in sickness and health, for richer or poorer till death parts us is sometimes complicated and messy. Accepting that Jesus died on the cross for my sin so that I can be restored to relationship with my Heavenly Father was the most natural step I’ve ever taken. Denying myself, loving my neighbor as myself, praying for those who persecute me, and treating others as I want to be treated does not always come naturally. It’s not always a struggle, but when it’s not, it is because God has given me everything I need for living a godly life and he’s given me the tools I need to overcome.
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.3.NLT
“Be prepared.
You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.
Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.
Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words.
Learn how to apply them.
You’ll need them throughout your life.
God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.
Pray hard and long.
Pray for your brothers and sisters.
Keep your eyes open.
Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”
Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/eph.6.13-18.MSG
It’s easy for me to encourage my grandchildren to try new things because usually I’ve done them myself. Maybe I was afraid at first too and I can share those stories, those emotions, and most importantly the joy of overcoming with them. Our stories are incredibly important, and sharing them is essential. Our children and theirs are doomed to repeat our failures if we never overcome them, choosing rather to continue in them unrepentant. When we find the Way to abundant life, we must share the Way, first with those closest to us and to the ends of the earth! (Mark 16:15)
Courage grows in community. When we choose to do life together, sharing our victories and our defeats and encouraging one another on toward the high calling we share in Christ, we are like the cord of three strands, not easily broken.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/ecc.4.12.NLT
In our faith, there are symbols that are meant to encourage and remind us of God’s faithful provision. In marriage, I’ve loved the analogy of the triangle where God is at the apex and husband and wife are the base angles. As each grows closer to God, we grow closer to one another. Likewise, the symbol of the wedding band, an unending circle, reminds us that our love is to be never ending, only made possible when we rely on God, who is love. Baptism is symbolic of our new life in Christ, who bore our sin on His cross. (John 3:16, John 1:12, Galatians 2:20) Communion, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ, are taken regularly in remembrance of God’s sacrificial love until Jesus returns. We are also living, breathing testaments to the goodness of God.
“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.
This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.4.6-7.NLT
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus spoke, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.
And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
John 17:20-21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.17.21.NLT
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.”
Hebrews 12:1-3, 28 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.1-28.NLT
“For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.
Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.5.9-11.NLT
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