How to Steer Clear of Danger

Truth be told, they hadn't seen their friends in a while.  

As their friends came bounding down the hill toward our new backyard swing set, my children's excitement was palpable.  It was then a race to see who would get up the climbing wall first.  Or just how high a swing could go.  Or who could master some new feat that their mothers quickly said "No!" to for fear of life and limb.  They're boys, after all. 

They happily made circles around the swing set moving from one activity to another.  It was a joy to see their amusement.  But there was danger too.  Maybe it was the energy of the moment.  Maybe it was the fact that there was so much going on.  Or maybe it was because it was at the end of a long summer day.  Regardless, they weren't listening.

"Watch out for the swing!"  

My friend and I repetitively reminded the boys to steer clear of the swing path when someone was swinging to little avail.  One by one they would cross the path en route to a new activity.  They remained unscathed due to our efforts to halt the swing or swiftly usher them out of the way.  Parents of little children know that this is a common occurrence. The swings are often the most coveted spot on the playground, but we have to be vigilant watching their path.  

There's a lesson here for us too.

As adults, how often do we hear, sometimes repetitively, that something isn't good or safe for us, yet we persist anyway?  Enter the bad habit, unhealthy relationship pattern, or unwise choices.  When we were younger, maybe an adult took us by the hand and explained what wasn't safe.  When we were older, maybe we listened to our Father's instruction in scripture.  But for whatever reason, we have had trouble acting accordingly.

Make no mistake:  God is your Heavenly Parent watching you on the playground of life.  God wants you to enjoy all of the fun life has to offer - safely.  God whispers instruction in scripture to protect you.  God puts people in your life to take you by the hand and direct you. And God is always there to pick you up if you fall down and show you his love.

Just as I longed for my children to heed my wisdom, God wants the same for each of us. God wants to unlock the power of his instruction in our lives to pave the way for a better tomorrow.  The trick is that we have to listen, and we have to trust him.  God is giving us the opportunity to not have to learn the hard way through that trust.  Maybe you've had some near misses on life's swing.  God is calling you today to steer clear for good - and be blessed.

"For the Lord gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly" (Proverbs 2:6-7, NKJV).

If you liked this post, I also recommend Firm Legs to Stand On.

{Photo by Chris Yarzab at Flickr, Edited}

The Only Antidote to Worry

Have you been feeling overwhelmed with worry?  With the end of another school year, schedules can get hectic and it's easy to feel overloaded.  Whether you're concerned about getting everything done, or you're wrestling with something greater, we need to be reminded of the sanctuary we have in Christ.

Scripture reminds us, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (I Peter 5:6-7).  What do your anxieties consist of?  Maybe you are pregnant and facing complications.  Maybe you or a family member has recently lost a job or is going through a job transition.  Maybe your child has had a health scare, and you've come face to face with the limitations of your control.  Whatever it may be, God knows the burden you've been carrying.

Jesus did not preach platitudes in a vacuum.  He knew firsthand the brokenness and struggle in our world, and he extended an invitation of comfort and peace in the midst of it.  It is not that we will never have a reason to worry.  No.  We will have reason to worry, but that's when we need to cling to the sovereign hand of God.

We worship a God who can order every aspect of our life for good - even the mistakes, even the mishaps, even the sin.  That means that even in the worse case scenario of whatever burden you've been carrying, God already has you covered.  Further, Christ's resurrection promises us that hope is always possible - no matter what the circumstances - with God.

As Christians, there is always a silver lining.  Christ told his disciples, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  In other words, we shouldn't analyze our problems, but petition our God.  Christ is the gateway to perfect peace.  When we approach him in humility, we will experience the only true antidote to worry: trust in God.

I am quite fond of the daily devotional by Sarah Young entitled Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence.  Recently, I read a devotion on worry that I wanted to share with you, for she echoes this truth.  She writes as if Jesus is speaking to you:

I am all around you, like a cocoon of Light.  My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me.  Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry.  My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life.  However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is an anathema to Me.

Who is in charge of your life?  If it is you, then you have good reason to worry.  But since I am in charge, worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive.  When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me.  Back off a bit, redirecting your focus to Me.  I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it.  In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me.

Young's use of cocoon imagery is powerful.  There is no doubt that a cocoon is delicate and indicates a time of trial through life-altering change.  But it is also a place of comfort and safety for new life to begin.  As we bring our worry to God, may he hold you in the cocoon of his peace, so that you might see the situation through together and later marvel at his grace.  Trust him - it's worth it.

If you appreciated this post, you might also like From Worry to Confidence and What to Do in a Storm.

{Photo by Francesco at Flickr, Edited}

What to Know Before Making Waves

"One, two, three, JUMP!"  And he did it.  Right into the deep end from a platform over two feet above the water.  He had no fear, just pride.  And it was the first time his little five-year-old body had done it.  He had talked about being ready for a couple of weeks, but he had waited until I was at the swimming lesson along with his Daddy before doing it.

So this weekend, I was swelling with pride too.

As I watched my son learn to tread water with his instructor, and as I watched his head bob up and down as he worked so hard to cross the pool with concentration and joy, I remembered he hadn't always been that comfortable.  In fact, there had been much hesitation, some tears, and even some screams early on our path to this point.

Now he says swimming is one of his favorite activities.

Our son does not have to become a really good swimmer unless he wants to be one.  My husband and I believe swimming is an important life skill:  We simply don't want him to be afraid of the water, and we want him to be proficient.  We want him to be prepared for the times he wants to use this skill - or needs to use it.

We all know the dangers of drowning as parents.  We know it can happen in surprisingly little water.  Many of us also know that drowning often doesn't look like we'd expect.  I had thought I needed to be on the lookout for flailing arms splashing in the water and a scream for "Help!"  But I've learned that drowning is often a quiet, more peaceful looking experience, and one that we need to be ever vigilant watching for.

A friend of mine forwarded a must-read from a fellow mommy blogger recently.  This mommy blogger shares her story about another danger we need to be watchful for: secondary drowning.  If you're like me and it hasn't even been on your radar, take a minute to read this.  Click here to read her story entitled "Secondary Drowning + My Recent Experience & Real Life Almost Nightmare."  Thank you, Delighted Momma, for sharing your heart with us.

We worship a God who calms the flood waters (Psalm 89:9), and sometimes he uses our hands and wisdom to do it.  I wish everyone a happy and safe pool season!  Summer can't come fast enough here!  Maybe I will even work on my cannonball too...

Do you have a pool safety tip or resource that you'd like to share?  Please comment below!

If you appreciated this information, check out my other posts on safety:  Stranger Danger Tips Every Mom Should Know and Safety Tips Every Mom Should Know.

{Photo by AnneCN at Flickr, Edited}