The young boy was probably four years old. He was agile and from appearances, very independent! He was riding his two-wheel scooter with freedom and abandon. The longer I watched the more energy I could feel within me. Nothing was going to hamper his enjoyment. The rain was not going to dampen his enthusiasm. Even the people walking by were moving marks that gave reason for his turns and twists at speed! As time went by, I found myself energized by letting myself going in the scene.
It all went wonderfully well until he disappeared from his parent’s view. I could still see him on the edge of the river, moving with ease. He was unaware of the angst his disappearance was causing. First, his Dad went to let him know that he had gone beyond the boundaries. While it worked for a few minutes, soon he disappeared in the same direction. A second visit by his Dad brought him closer to their table for a few minutes longer. You could see him longing for freedom, ready to make a move. With a twist and a run down the incline, he was out of sight.
This time his mother went after him. While the conversation was more intense, the results were almost the same. He stayed within sight for a few minutes, circling near the edge while looking with off into the distance. Anyone watching the scene knew what was going to happen next.
The second visit by his mother made it clear that he was on the edge of disaster. As tears rolled down his cheeks, he looked up and tried to speak. They were both beyond earshot yet their body language shared more than either intended. As it progressed, one could see the young boy pleading for understanding. In that moment, I could see David’s plea coming to life; “Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help.” (Psalm 5.1, 2)
His mother listened intently, paused, and wrapped him in an embrace.
