When Babies Fall

My 17-month-old Indiana Jones grandson is a bundle of energy and a tumbling-tumbleweed. Between Christmas and the New Year, his babysitter took time off.  I took care of my little man for a day. Little IJ roams his world with fearlessness. A million times, it seemed, he climbed up the two steps between my kitchen and family room. A million times he stepped back down using my TV bureau, as his crutch.  

At some point, I saw his daddy’s determined look and knew at that moment he was going to try it without holding on. He pulled his little hands in on his chest and stepped down. The first foot went down great. But, I held my breath. When the other foot came in for a landing it became tangled and he went air bound.  With head tucked under, he came down in a summersault position and landed on his back. He cried a little. I comforted him. Ten seconds later, he was wriggled free to try it again.

He didn’t let the fall discourage him. He didn’t let the stumble keep him down. The older I get, the easier I get discouraged. And, with discouragement comes the opportunity to abandon my goals and dreams and leave them all behind.

Do you ever do that?

Abandon dreams?

Give up on your art?

Wash your hands of the mission?

Think you’ve messed up for the final time?

Believe there’s no going back?

            Sit down in the tired rut and stay there?

We ARE to be quitters of things that are not beneficial to our mind, body and soul. Reckless living puts a barrier between us and God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

But, what of those passions worthy of determination, dreams worthy of persistence, and a life worthy to live? We remain committed {even} when it becomes difficult and unpleasant.  

Giving up is never an option because it may be a part of the big plan.

(Jesus said) “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

If we give up, we might miss out on the awesome experiences and blessings God has planned for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

When babies fall, they get back up.

Holy Bible source: Biblegateway.com