Pint-Sized Faith
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
One summer, our family spent two glorious weeks resting and refreshing on the beaches of the South Carolina coast. On the last day, while sitting peacefully in my green lounger, umbrella overhead and intriguing book in hand, a little girl stole my attention. Her squeals of delight filled the ocean air, captivating my heart. She could not have been more than five years old. I watched as this blonde-haired girl attempted to tackle the waves licking the shore. Placing her fingers securely around her pint-sized board, she ventured into the ocean, a few more feet each time, armed only with the hope of riding in on a wave.
Several joyous minutes passed before Mom, Dad and baby brother waded into the ocean to join her. Distracted by Mom's fabulous bubble-gum pink swimsuit, it took me a minute to notice that unlike his sister; the little boy wanted nothing to do with the waves. I observed as Dad patiently encouraged him to try to catch one. The teary son was unable to be persuaded and was gently passed to Mom's waiting arms. Dad turned his focus to his daughter and picked her up briskly.
Against the expansive horizon and endless sea, she seemed nothing more than a doll. Hands on her waist, he carried her out to meet wave after crashing wave as she held firmly to her board. She was giddy with expectation as Dad walked her well past the places where she could swim on her own. “Fearless,” I thought to myself. Dad waited until the time was right before turning toward the shoreline. With a giant shove, he pushed her onto the crest of the oncoming wave. She was flying, and for a moment, I was too. Transformed by my imagination, her plastic board became a colorful, tapestried magic carpet, soaring over salted sea.
"Do it again, Daddy!"
I marveled as this beautiful father-daughter dance repeated again and again until the ocean's playground wore her out. Her body may have been tired, but her spirit was undaunted. The magic carpet received a much-deserved rest as father and daughter walked triumphantly back to shore.
Safe in her father's arms, board firmly in hand, this brave girl painted a stunning portrait of faith. Yes, on my own, I can enjoy the refreshing but shallow waters along the sand. Trusting in my Heavenly Father's strong arms, however, I allow Him to pick me up, Bible in hand, and carry me much farther than I would ever dare to go alone. Prompted by His timing and propelled by His grace, I ride the wind of the Spirit in ways I never could have dreamed.
Romans 15:13 shares, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As we place our confidence in the God to perfect anything that concerns us, we experience the reward of trust. He fills us with joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of feeling flooded by worry, we overflow with hope.
We are so tempted to place our hope in so many things. People. Bank accounts. Promotions. A different spouse. A healthier body. But if we tether our trust to anything but God, we will be sorely disappointed. Instead, faith trusts God to make a way. Where do you need God to move in your situation? We can release anything into His capable hands. Whatever you may feel anxious about today, remember God has the final say in your situation. God understands those moments when it’s all we can do to wrap our cautious fingers around our pint-size faith. Allow God to pick you up. He makes us brave.
"Do it again, Daddy!” We can trust our Father to carry us into deeper waters, stronger waves, and a more exhilarating ride with Him.
