I began to watch our newest son in his effort to conquer movement across our family room floor. The scenario that ensued gave me my article as I reflected on how we must become like children to enter the gates of heaven. We are all in search of the eternal reward, and as mother, I find in my children the innocence, the determination and conquering spirit that I too must possess in my own vocation.
Our little baby, how he has been bringing so much joy! He began on his tummy, pushing up with all his might with his hands, digging his tiny toes into the carpet fibers. Eyeing a toy nearby, he whimpered, as if to say, “Go and get it for me Mom”. I looked at him, and gently encouraged him to get it himself. He rolled to one side, flipped now on his back. Nope that didn’t do it. He went back to his tummy. After many attempts on his part, wiggling in all directions, flipping from tummy to back, back to tummy, rolling here, and then there…..he began to get frustrated. He looked up again at me, and seemingly to whine again, “I tried Mom, now get it for me.” Acting distracted, I said, “You can do it, try”.
So he dug his toes in deeper, hiked up his knees under himself, and was up on his elbows. He looked up at me, and with a proud smile, he raised his head even more, just about the time, his head became too heavy for him and it fell back to the ground. His little nose, red and sore from the weight of his head, could almost break a mother’s heart and give in to his request for the toy. However, determination and his conquering spirit was not to be diminished by a red nose! Again, he raised himself up, put his elbows as far forward as he could, and literally dragged his lower half of his body forward. The movement forward was only a few inches, but a definite success even by a 5 month old’s standards! As he happily brought the toy to his mouth, I couldn’t help but to congratulate him in this milestone!: Movement in the direction of his choosing!
Who of us can’t relate to his struggle? When I want or need something in this life, do I immediately whine, and ask God to get it for me? After a small attempt on my part, do I give up easily and ask again, God I tried, now will you get it for me? Does our pride in a small accomplishment swell, allowing for God to teach us humility in a red nose?
God our Father knows. Even the details of our struggles, and gently, I know, He encourages us. In our failures and in achievements, God, the only one who really needs to know, already does. And your Father, who sees what you do in secret will repay you.
Our little baby, how he has been bringing so much joy! He began on his tummy, pushing up with all his might with his hands, digging his tiny toes into the carpet fibers. Eyeing a toy nearby, he whimpered, as if to say, “Go and get it for me Mom”. I looked at him, and gently encouraged him to get it himself. He rolled to one side, flipped now on his back. Nope that didn’t do it. He went back to his tummy. After many attempts on his part, wiggling in all directions, flipping from tummy to back, back to tummy, rolling here, and then there…..he began to get frustrated. He looked up again at me, and seemingly to whine again, “I tried Mom, now get it for me.” Acting distracted, I said, “You can do it, try”.
So he dug his toes in deeper, hiked up his knees under himself, and was up on his elbows. He looked up at me, and with a proud smile, he raised his head even more, just about the time, his head became too heavy for him and it fell back to the ground. His little nose, red and sore from the weight of his head, could almost break a mother’s heart and give in to his request for the toy. However, determination and his conquering spirit was not to be diminished by a red nose! Again, he raised himself up, put his elbows as far forward as he could, and literally dragged his lower half of his body forward. The movement forward was only a few inches, but a definite success even by a 5 month old’s standards! As he happily brought the toy to his mouth, I couldn’t help but to congratulate him in this milestone!: Movement in the direction of his choosing!
Who of us can’t relate to his struggle? When I want or need something in this life, do I immediately whine, and ask God to get it for me? After a small attempt on my part, do I give up easily and ask again, God I tried, now will you get it for me? Does our pride in a small accomplishment swell, allowing for God to teach us humility in a red nose?
God our Father knows. Even the details of our struggles, and gently, I know, He encourages us. In our failures and in achievements, God, the only one who really needs to know, already does. And your Father, who sees what you do in secret will repay you.
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