A LESSON OF TRUST FROM MY 11 YEAR OLD

NOTE: THIS WILL BE MY FIRST OFFICAL "POSTING" ... We'll see where this goes!

Well, it’s Day 5 of my two week vacation. I forgot to take my computer with me on our trip to Indialantic Island … I think it was God’s way of unplugging me for a while! We had a great time of fun on the beach, at the pool, shopping, go carts and The Kennedy Space Center. It feels good to rest and play with my kids for a while.

Wednesday was our beach day. We all oiled up and headed out for some fun in the sun and water. The waves where pretty intense that day, which was much to my 14 year olds delight. Josh is like a fish in the water and his strength allowed him to really enjoy body surfing. It was fun to watch [from the shore!] as he and his father enjoyed facing off with those big waves. I was standing on the shore with Nick, my 11 year old, who stood watching enviously as his brother and father romped around in the water. It was obvious he really wanted to be out there. Here’s a summary of our conversation:

“Why don’t you go on out, Nick?” “I don’t want to be slammed by those waves. They’re so big. And I’m not strong enough to swim against them.” “Your father will help you get past them and then you can float on the boogie board and enjoy the other waves with your brother.” “No, I don’t want to.” “You know you can trust your father … he won’t let anything happen to you.” “It’s not my father that I don’t trust … it’s those waves.” “I see … do you think you could trust your father more than you don’t trust those waves?”

It took him some time to really think this through, especially after seeing his father slammed by a huge wave. Randy and Josh came on out of the water to rest, but Nick still stood on the shore looking out anxiously at the waves. Finally I walked out to stand with him. He said, “Man, I really want to go out there, but I’m still afraid.” Then his father came over and said, “Nick, now’s the time to go. The water has calmed down a bit, and you’ll be fine. I’ll hold on to you, and you can hold on to the boogie board. Let’s go.”

So finally, he decided to trust his father over his fear of those waves. They went out and had a blast, even though the waves picked up again as they where out there. Nick has a new level of trust in his father and less fear of those waves.

I realized how the lesson my son learned that day on the beach is so true to our daily living. There are so many huge waves in our lives … career decisions, family decisions, health issues, financial challenges, relationship issues. For me, this last wave has been the hardest one to face. I have a fear of rejection and of not being liked, which has a tendency to make me a people pleaser. It’s a fear that I faced as a child. It was not easy for me to make friends because I was always so self-conscience, and had a huge inferiority complex. To be candid, I still struggle to a lesser degree with those same issues today. The difference is that at this point in my life I have trusted my Heavenly Father in many situations which has allowed me to face off with those waves of fear and self-doubt. The waves I face today are as real, and sometimes just as big, but because I have put my trust in my Father, and He has seen be through so many tough spots before, those waves do not cause the same level of fear and doubt in me that they use to. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a twinge of dread when I face tough relational situations … just as there will always be a twinge of anxiousness when my Nick faces another day of waves. The difference is his faith in the trustworthiness of his father has grown. Nick had to get off the shore for that faith growth to happen … how about you? Are you tired of standing on the shore wishing you had the courage and faith to take the plunge? Come on … get out there. Your trust in your Father can be greater than your fear of those unknown waves!

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, O Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea-- the Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord. Psalms 93:1-5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6