Faith & Trust

This week the children started swim lessons at our local YMCA. At the end of last Summer they were all swimming like little fish, so I intended these classes to be a refresher before our neighborhood pool opens next month.

But a funny thing happened on the first day of class. Despite all of their excited chatter leading up to class, their endless practice sessions in the bath tub, and their huge grins and giggles going in, they freaked out when the instructors started the class.  Only P would even go near the edge of the pool. K and R were practically climbing me like a tree and begging me to let them leave. I was so confused. Why were they suddenly so afraid of the water? 

They watched from the sidelines at first, then as they witnessed other children safely participating they each gradually moved closer. 

Within a few minutes they each jumped in and participated. Their tentativeness was quickly replaced with smiles. 

By the end of the 45 minute class, they even allowed the instructors to work with them on floating on their backs--something they would not allow me to do last Summer!

As I have thought about this today (in preparation for tomorrow's lesson) I couldn't help but think about how the real issue was their trust. They couldn't remember ever being in this pool before, since they were under a year old when we took our Water Babies class. They didn't know what to expect. These instructors were strangers. Could they be trusted? What if they tricked us and splashed us all? (Oops! That happened.)

But, seriously, as they witnessed other kids successfully trust in the instructors, they decided to take a chance. As they placed their faith in these guys, and they then proved themselves faithful they were willing to be more bold.

Isn't this true of our faith? As we step out and God proves Himself faithful, we find it easier to take the next step. But it all starts with moving to the edge, then taking the plunge. It's risky. Many of us are like my children, quick to forget that we have been here before--and we were cared for... 

And many of us are being watched from the side of the pool by folks considering the plunge, but unsure. They are watching how we react to the plunge in order to decide whether our Father is worthy of their trust.

Who knew there were such deep thoughts in the shallow end?