When We Stumble

I have enjoyed watching each of our grandchildren learning to walk. There’s something about the progression, the whole process of step by step and little by little – that gets me pumped.  Two steps . . . seven or eight steps . . . and then gingerly traipsing across the room.

Our #7 Sadie, is just now getting it down, and the spiritual insights are clearer than ever. 

Sadie still stumbles.

And when she does, she hops right up and keeps trying. She doesn’t let falling down along the way distract her from her mission of learning to walk.

Sadie keeps at it when we cheer her on.

The ATTA-GIRL shouts keep her moving and determined to not give up after she falls. 

Sadie keeps her eyes on her daddy.

I’ve watched her look of determination as she wobbles her way right into his arms.

Sadie’s daddy is not distracted when she falls.

His position doesn’t change. In fact His smile gets bigger, and his arms steadier as she makes her way toward him.

My oh my, sometimes I still feel like a spiritual toddler. And once again, my grandchildren are teaching ME!

I still stumble.

Sometimes I stumble over pride, and other times it’s doubt that trips me up. And sometimes I just make wrong choices. Truthfully, I’m not quite as quick as Sadie at recovering from the fall. These distractions – well, keep me distracted! I often take my eyes off my mission of loving Jesus, and place them on my shortcomings. 

I keep at it when I remember there are those cheering me on.

Hebrews 12:1 plainly states . . . Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.

When I remember those in the spiritual realms are cheering me on, I keep at it.

I’m going to keep my eyes on my Daddy.

Keeping my heart and mind focused on Jesus gives me His perspective when distractions threaten to de-rail me…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith (Hebrews 12:2)

My Daddy is not distracted when I fall.

Living in the truth of Hebrews 13:8 reminds us God loves us the same every moment of every day, no matter what we do, think, or feel.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Stumbling is a part of earthly living. Everything – including we ourselves – will not be perfect until Kingdom living. When we mess up, there’s no need to throw ourselves into spiritual probation. God never does that. But sometimes it feels like I should take a week or two (or longer), beating myself up over mistakes I’ve made. Thankfully, and PRAISE JESUS, there’s no probationary period before God allows me back into His grace. 

So from now on STUMBLING will cause me to remember Sadie’s stumbles and recoveries. I’m going to follow her lead . . . hop right back up, keep my eyes on my Daddy, and walk - NO SPRINT, right into His welcoming arms.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

THANK YOU JESUS!