For weeks my
daughter tried unsuccessfully to ride her bicycle without training wheels.
Fearing falling, she would not peddle forward and stay on the bike.
We lived in
the country and a large rolling green hill faced the front of the house.
Anna-Frances and I sat down in the white rocking chairs on the porch, facing
the hill.
Rocking next
to my six-year old, I asked,” Do you remember the Bible story about Peter
walking on the water? In a great storm, the disciples experienced
fear. When Jesus came walking on the water, they were afraid. They
had never seen anyone do that before. What did Peter do that no one else
did?”
“He got out
of the boat and walked on water.”
“That’s
right, honey,” I replied. “He tried something new and trusted God to care
for him even though it was scary.”
She quietly
and thoughtfully listened. “Anna, what do you think God wants you to do
with this bike?”
“Trust God
and try to ride.”
We arose and
walked the bicycle to the very top of the large green hill. She mounted,
and I held on from behind. As she began peddling, I ran behind her.
Knowing she had her balance, I let go of the bike and yelled, “Go, Anna!
You’ve got it, babe!”
Watching her
peddle that bike all the way to the bottom of the hill remains one of my
favorite memories from that season of our lives. She got out of the boat and
rode without training wheels.
In our lives, we face challenges, fears, and unknowns that threaten our confidence. We like Peter can choose to either focus on the obstacles and potential loss - or on the One who is able to keep us from falling or help us up when we do.
In our lives, we face challenges, fears, and unknowns that threaten our confidence. We like Peter can choose to either focus on the obstacles and potential loss - or on the One who is able to keep us from falling or help us up when we do.
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