Faith Like a Child

“God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.” 

Crazy Love, Francis Chan

Faith Like A Child

A few years ago we took our twins to Disney World.  As you can imagine (or as you may have experienced), it was like a dream come true for our 4 ½ year olds. 

When we were standing in one of the many lines, the girls were trying to entertain themselves.  So they climbed up on a wall (about 4 feet high) to play.  Of course, as the protective father, I asked them to get down so no one would get hurt. 

As I held out my arms for them to come down they simply fell towards me.  My hands weren’t on them yet, and if I hadn’t caught them they surely would have busted their heads open.  They had complete faith that I would come through and catch them.

At the time I was amazed that they didn’t even flinch.  They just went off the edge of that wall and didn’t hesitate.  It was a beautiful picture of a child stepping out in faith, trusting that her father was there to catch her no matter what.  It was a picture of the unwavering trust I want to have in my heavenly Father.

Now the girls are almost 7 and this past weekend I had a chance to see what they would do today.  We were playing outside and they were up on another wall and wanted me to catch them.  But this time they wouldn’t fall into my arms like before.  They waited until my hands were firmly planted on their side and then they jumped towards me after they knew they were safe.

Nothing has really changed since that time at Disney.  They still know I’m there and I’ll catch them.  Except now they know it’s dangerous.  They know if they actually hit the ground it’s really gonna hurt.  So, just to be safe, they wait to make sure that I will catch them.

It was a different picture, and much more telling of how I tend to trust God; trusting but wanting more reassurance that my Father is there to catch me on the way down.  If only we could have faith like a child – totally unafraid to make that leap of faith (whatever it may be) because we trust God is there to protect us.

And then there’s Amy… our 3 year old who gave me a great picture once again of what it looks like to have complete trust and faith (of course she is wearing a helmet – but it was because she was riding her bike, I promise!)