Learning from my kids

For those of you who don't know me that well, I am a father of 2 cool kids. They are such a blessing to my wife and I and anybody that they are around. I have learned many lessons from Jordan (our daughter) and Ashton (our son). Watching them grow has been an awesome experience for me. It is amazing what one can learn by watching their kids.

Ashton, our almost 10 month old, is trying to walk. He has no issue getting into the standing position. He has not problem walking while holding onto somebody or something. But, when he goes to take a step forward when not holding on, he begins to get fearful and just sits down. It's pretty amazing to watch him. He will literally just stands there and thinks and stares and thinks and stares; trying to build up the strength and courage to take that first step. But.....no action. Then he looks for one of us to come and help him or he just crawls to where he needs to get to.

It is pretty wild how easy it is to compare my kid's experiences to the way we live our lives as children of God. You have probably already thought of 10 different things that could be said about this example. I am not going to try to get all deep and fancy. I just want to share with you what God has shown me through my son's challenge of wanting to walk.

There are times God has asked me to do something and because of fear or unknowing, I usually don't do it. I will just sit there and stare and think and stare and think; you know, just like Ashton does when he is contemplating on taking that first step or not. I don't see how in the world I can take that first step, so, I just sit down. But, the times that I do take that first step (by faith) and do what God is challenging me to do, He always makes a way for the next step!

Hebrews chapter 11 has 15 verses that start with "By Faith". Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the children of Israel at the wall of Jericho, Rahab, etc....; all these people did something impossible "By Faith!" They were willing to take that first step. Peter was willing to take that first step into the water where Jesus was. Once he did, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to take the next few steps.

James 2:20 ..... "Do you have to be shown that faith which does nothing is useless?" (God's Word Translation)

James 2:26 ..... "A body that doesn't breathe is dead. In the same way faith that does nothing is dead." (God's Word Translation)

When we put life or action into the things that God has asked us to do, you can guarantee that He will help you! All we have to do is take the first step, He will help us the rest of the way.

There's coming a day (very soon) that Ashton is going to walk. 3 months from now, it won't even phase him. I believe also, that in 3 months that thing that God has been asking you to do, you will look back at this day and see that you took the right step. It won't seem like much of a challenge at all for you in a few weeks. Go ahead, take that step and watch God work in your life!

Take the challenge! Be courageous! Be brave! You can and will do it!

Go ahead .... teach that Bible study .... pray for that friend in the hallway .... go sit with that person that no else wants to bother with .... read your Bible in school. Whatever God has been challenging you to do; DO IT!

Have a blessed day!