As children played in the park, I found myself considering the relationship a child has with her/his parents. Especially when children are young, there is a natural raw truth visible to everyone nearby. Happy, sad, enjoying life and distressed, everything is out on display. Even as the scenes took me down memory lane, there was an obvious lesson I seemingly needed to relearn every day. My summary is this; in a never-ending battle with one’s fears, every choice to move beyond my fear is a statement of trust.
The question in my choices today can be stripped back to the simple question of trust. Who or what do I play my trust in today?
With children playing, their circle of trust is obvious. With others their same age, caution always leads to their choice. With parents involved, flying high in the air, leaping off ledges high enough to hurt if there was no one to catch you, and riding fast are willingly made as a first choice.
Bumps and bruises along the way do not change trust. Children seem to understand that bad things happen. Yes, there are tears and opportunities for consoling. The resilience which follows reminds me of the way positive trust infuses one’s heart with courage and the willingness to keep going.
There are days when I am no longer a kid. Fear dominates my choices. The consequence is trusting less. With fewer risks, I find myself missing life’s opportunities. The chance to fly high, leap into the unknown, and go fast gives way to something different.
As I look out at today, I hear Peter’s call across the generations. “As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.” (1 Peter 1.15). There are no promises that I will not get bruised and hurt. There is an invitation to trust, to choose, and to step into a life lived with full intensity.
Trust best grows when it is immersed in experience. Today is an opportunity to reach for more.
