First Steps

Seeing a baby take their first steps is a sweet experience.  If you are a softie, like me, it will make you emotional.  You will get a slight lump in your throat as you see the baby shakily place one foot in front of the other.  Sometimes they move very slowly in an attempt to keep their balance.  Other times, they move rapidly and fall head-first.  Depending on their temperament, some remain on the floor and cry.  They look for comfort from a trusted person.  Others will stand up and try it all over again.  No hugs or kisses needed.

I won’t ever forget the time that one of my favorite little therapy baby’s started to walk.  Now mind you, he was walking before I was aware of it.  When I got him for therapy, I would pick him up and carry him to my office.  We would hang out on the floor.  We played.  We laughed.  Occasionally, he would scoot to get a desired toy.  No other signs that he was walking and ready to explore the world.  If he wanted something, he would point and vocalize but not make much of an effort to get it on his own.  I applauded his vocalizations and brought him everything that he wanted.

One day, I was blowing bubbles.  These bubbles were tickling his fancy.  I’m a master bubble blower.  I can make them large or small.  I can blow out a ton of them at one time or just a select few.  One of the many perks of getting paid to play all day.  I blew out at large cloud of bubbles, and it was too good for this baby.  He got up like a grown man and walked around the room to clap bubbles between his hands.  Of course, I exclaimed, “YOU CAN WALK?!?!”  He immediately sat down and pretended like it had never happened.  He pointed and said “Pop!”  He wanted it to be business as usual.

Too bad.  His cover was blown.  He walked back to class that day, and let me tell you, he WAS NOT happy about it.  He wanted me to hold him and cuddle him.  It was more work to get back on his own.  I encouraged him all the way back to class.  We still talked.  I was just holding his hand instead of carrying him.  He thought I was the meanest person on earth.  We made it to his class just fine.  I was proud of him for making the trek even though he protested the entire time.  As time went on, he stopped protesting during transitions when he had to walk.  Our new normal was established.

I needed this reminder on this day.  I get so content when things are coasting along.  Even when I know that I can do more in my spiritual walk, I get complacent.  I just want to enjoy the easy fellowship with God.  I don’t want to walk if I don’t have to.  Then God takes me by the hand and begins to lead me.  No longer carrying and coddling me.  I complain and protest, but you know what? I make it to the destination every time.  And I’m better for it.

I’m in a growing season.  A moving and shaking season.  It gets uncomfortable for me.  At no point has God taken His hand away from me, but let’s face it.  I’m spoiled.  He’s taken such good care of me, and yet I find myself afraid to go to the new places.  It’s time out for that for me.  I’m too old to still be sitting and playing.  I have to move.  Maybe it’s time for you to start walking too.  #wepreach