Stepping Out in Faith

It’s really amazing how much God has taught me about Himself through my first year of being a parent. I’d heard that this was the case before Graham was born, but really had no idea how true it would be, or how often these lessons would come. The past couple months of parenting for Caroline and I have really all revolved around watching Graham work and grow towards a big milestone of independence and freedom: WALKING. He’s now at a point where he can wobble around pretty well when he wants to, depending on the mood he’s in. Sometimes he wants to walk to something but is unsure of his ability to get there, and he’ll look up for us, and hold his hand out, wanting us to grab it and help him get to where he wants to go. As a parent, I love when he does this because it’s good to feel needed, and I also know that those days where he asks for our help are quickly evaporating. But I also want him to grow, and what’s best for him in the long run is to be present right there with him, but to encourage him to take those steps on his own. My hope is that he is learning to trust that we have his best interests in mind, and that even if it includes a few bumps and bruises along the way, we’re right there to pick him up and ease the pain. Lately God has been reminding me that our walk with Him is a lot like Graham learning to walk. In order for us to really grow spiritually, there are hard moments where we have to move outside of what is comfortable to us, stepping out in faith that where God is leading is ultimately for our good. These moments bring about a lot of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety on our end, because we can’t really see from God’s perspective. Sometimes we can even feel alone in it, and forget the promises of God that He makes throughout Scripture, promises that He will never leave or forsake us, that He is always present among us, even when we can’t feel or see Him. But like a parent is with a toddler, God is there as we take those steps. He sees the big picture that not only includes the destination, but the obstacles and objects that are there along the way. He’s even the one guiding and directing our steps (Proverbs 16:9, Jeremiah 10:23). In moments like these, God often reminds me of these things in order that I might be more willing to step out in faith in areas that I feel him prompting and leading me, that I would fully trust in Him in ways that go far beyond the trust that Graham is slowly learning to have in his parents to guide him and be present with him.