Leaps of Faith

I was so proud of my kiddos yesterday at the lake. We went to spend Memorial Day with D's dad. Since he lives on the lake - we obviously have to spend some time outside playing. Or, at least D and the kids did. Somehow mom forgot to pack her swimsuit.

Regardless, the kids got to get on the jet skis with D and they always love doing that. What was a little different this time was Belle itching to get in the lake. Not just on it. After her romp through it last weekend at our friend's lake house where there was a man-made beach, she discovered complete joy in a body of water that large and was obviously wanting more.

So, as they got ready to leave the dock, she announced she wanted to jump in the lake to which D replied, "Tell you what...after we ride around a bit we'll both jump in the lake." This put a huge grin on her face, but I wondered inside if she would really take that leap off the jet ski into the lake. Neither of them were raised on the lake. The biggest body of water they've been around is a pool. So add that to the fact the lake water isn't clear like a pool and you have to rely on your faith that all will be well.

As I saw them stop, I watched carefully to see if she would really do it. Of course, after her daddy jumped - she followed suit quickly. My heart completely filled with both happiness, because I knew she would be thrilled with her new adventure; and love, because I knew it took her having faith in someone else telling her it would be "okay" in order for her to do it. Oh the freedom that comes with unbridled faith.

Ben was a little more nervous, as is Ben's way. He's the cautious one. Always has been. In fact, he is the one to error on the side of caution. His nerves were centered on what was out of eyesight under the lake. I reassured him that he in no way had to do what Shelby had done, but could tell he really wanted to get past his nerves and take that leap. I told him that no matter if he did or didn't, we had a great time at the lake this weekend and he could leave knowing that. However, I also told him that I knew he really wanted to jump in and I thought he would be very proud of himself if he trusted his daddy and just did it. "You know, daddy and I would never let you do something we thought could cause you any harm," I added. He agreed. And, when it was his turn...he chose to put his faith in his daddy and jumped. And loved it. I could hear him laughing from the dock.

When we are young, we find it so much easier to open up our hearts and trust. We have clear, uncomplicated faith. Maybe because we haven't really been hurt deeply yet or is it because it's just easier to believe similar to the way kids believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny? Dad and Mom said they exist, so they must! Either way, it's something I wish we had more of as adults. That chosen ability to put yourself out there and totally trust the one you love when they say, "I'm going to take care of you. I promise, it's okay."

Only when we put ourselves out there 100% are we able to reap the full rewards. Only when we make ourselves vulnerable are we able to enjoy the complete return of love. If either one of my kids had only put their feet in the water versus totally jumping in, the experience wouldn't have been the same. Not even close. They wouldn't have enjoyed the full pleasure, only part of it. And they would probably have walked away at the end of the day wishing they had made a different choice. It's that way with faith. Until you put your complete faith in someone, you won't fully appreciate the immense love your heart was meant to feel.

As adults, due to the baggage our hearts carry around from past hurts and pains, our pathway to that leap is blocked. We have to actually work at removing those obstacles because we want to be able to enjoy that leap in all its glory. Patience, consistency, tenderness, love, kindness...all things we must draw on in order to move what ever is in our way.

Everyone is at different levels, but this is my experience. For me, I want my heart to be fully submerged in my life. I want my kids to live that way, too. I've recognized it's the only way to completely fill your hear up. God promises us a "new heart" and if you ask him in...he waits at your heart's door knocking. But, you have to let Him in. Just inviting Him isn't enough. You actually have to open the door to your heart and go through the process of letting Him in. For some it's easier. I know for me it's been a process, but I allowed myself to be vulnerable in every aspect and made the conscious choice to let Him and others in and have the faith it will all be okay.

You may ask, "How do you make that kind of choice? Don't you have to get a feeling that all will be okay before you chose?" My answer was no. The feeling came after I made the choice. It would have been so much easier the other way, I know, but that wouldn't have required faith, now would it? I chose to to believe. I chose to know it would be okay. I chose faith. And I haven't looked back.

In return, I have the pleasure of experiencing love the way my heart was meant to experience it. I have made that leap and jumped into my life.

We can't live our lives looking back. If you are constantly turning around you will miss things that lie in front of you. Just think if you were driving down the highway, but kept turning around looking to see where you'd already been. You'd be missing what is right outside your window looking you in the face. You would inevitably miss something and it could be the one thing you were looking to find. But, since you were turned around looking at "the past"...you may have let something beautiful go by unnoticed. Plus, if you don't really care for what you've already seen on the trip...know that a new road lies right in front of you. But guess what...you have to go by faith's roadmap that the new road is a better one.

I hope my kids are able to get past the baggage that is sure to come in their life with more grace than I've been able to do. I'm going to try my hardest to help them navigate through those waters are life will no doubt get more complicated as they grow up.

How will you choose to lead your life? Will you take the leap and experience it completely or dangle your feet in the water of your life and walk away with a only a percentage?

I'll be the one doing a cannonball in the deep end.