Diving in

Our middle boy, Kaleb, has never really been much on swimming. Our oldest was half-fish. Seriously. His first word was "in" and he was talking about the water. So Kaleb's fear of water and going under was always a bit perplexing to me. We never pushed him, but now he's six and really doesn't know how to swim well at all.

Being in South Florida and surrounded by water now, I figure he needs to learn. SO I enrolled him in swim lessons. When I broke the news to him, it was a complete meltdown. I MEAN COMPLETE MELTDOWN!! After he calmed down, we talked and I explained the importance of being able to swim...for his own safety, and even his little sister's safety and how he could help her.

Something clicked. That afternoon we were going to the community pool to just play around. On the way, he said, "Mom, I'm putting the goggles on and going under." I was like, "OK, honey." AS SOON AS we got to the pool, he pulled the goggles on and ran right over and dove in. I couldn't believe it! He was under for like 10 seconds. Then he BURST up from the water screaming, "I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!" It was truly one of the sweetest moments. He was SO proud of himself. He did it again, and again. Each time bursting from the water and exclaiming his success! The pool was rather crowded and everyone around was smiling and watching him. I wonder if he encouraged any of them the way he did me. He overcame that fear. Just head down and ran full-blast right at it. I don't know if it was for his own survival or the thought of being able to help his sister, but it gave him the strength to do it.

What are you afraid of doing? Is it hindering you from living out your full God potential? Pray and ask God to help you dive right in!

Passing the Baton

My Bible reading this morning was about David passing the rule of Israel over to Solomon. Then, when I open up twitter, there's a tweet asking "What are you doing for the next spiritual generation?" with a link to an article. Hmm. Two nudges from unrelated sources within 30 minutes? Maybe this is important.



As I mentioned earlier, my Bible reading was about David and his son Solomon. David wanted to build the temple, but God said no, however, God told him it would be David's son, Solomon who built it. What's interesting to me and what I think we can seriously learn from is what David does with this. Instead of spending the rest of his life in sorrow because he cannot build the temple, he begins preparing his son.



Solomon is known as one of the wisest men to ever live. His rule in Israel was a peaceful one, and he did build that amazing temple for God. But look at all David did to set the stage. David's rule was not peaceful. He beat back Israel's attackers and made it clear, through God's help and providence, that God's people were not to be messed with. He laid the groundwork for that peace. And as far as the temple goes, David began work gathering and stockpiling materials before Solomon became King. He got things ready. He prepared for the next generation. Because of his investments, his faith, his heart for God, the next generation of Israel were able to live in peace and advance God's kingdom.



What are we doing to invest in the next spritual generation? What are we doing to lay the groundwork for the future of the kingdom? Will our children be prepared to lead out when we pass the baton?

Endurance

Today I read a blog about endurance. It's part of a book study our church is leading...different bloggers are reading a chapter a day out of 6 different christian leadership books and blogging about the main points of the chapter. Then we all discuss it. By the end of the summer, we'll have read 6 books! AWESOME IDEA!!!

But back to endurance. This is something I've always struggled with. Even physically. I can powerfully BURST outta the blocks and blow everyone away...at first. Then something happens. I've blamed boredom in the past. "I'm not challenged...it's too easy now..." But I think that's a cop out. I know I need to develop endurance. Recently I started running, with the intention of "competing" in a half-marathon in January. I'd never ran more than a mile in my life...and that wasn't pretty. I started my training May 2. Ran 3 times a week every week until the end of June, then it dropped to 2. I say I'm bored with it, but I don't think that's the case. Discipline and endurance. It's what I lack. It's what I need to run a half-marathon. It's what I need to live the life God wants me to live. God, help me to develop this endurance. (Is that like praying for patience?) Even if it is, Lord, I trust in You and ask You to mold me into the person You created me to be...my full God potential.

Letting Go

Just dropped my oldest off at the airport. He's going to hang with his Uncle in Nashville (he's a musician, too) so I KNOW he's gonna have a blast! Sent him off with his guitar in hand :) I know God is working in his life, and I know God is in complete control. But it's moments like these when that false sense of security is really blown to pieces. You know, that feeling that I sometimes rest in, where I believe I can control most things, and protect my children from evil and harm, accidents and injury, all that would and could hurt them. In reality, I have no power to do that. Only my God can protect them.

I release him to you, Lord. He's in the air right now, comletely in Your hands. Watch over Him all the days of his life, wherever he goes and whatever he does. Keep him seeking after You with all his heart. And please bring him back safely to us!