Time to walk

My niece (who is turning 1 tomorrow by the way) doesn't like the idea of having to walk on her own yet.  She starts to cry when we stand her up on her feet to walk.  Sometimes if we can stand hearing her cry, we'll keep her there and force her to walk as we stand and hold her hands.  She'll start taking steps reluctantly.  Couple of my family members say that she'll start when she's ready.  Personally, I think she's being a little stubborn about learning how to walk.  I think she wants to stay a baby forever.  :)  She's gotten comfortable with being dependent and trusting others to carry her.

I see this and I think to myself...wow, this must be how we are with God.  He doesn't mind carrying us because it's His innate nature to be there for us when we need Him, to depend on Him, to trust His legs when ours are too weak and unlearned to walk.  But another part of Him must really anticipate the day when we finally learn to walk on our own and trust that if we ever get tired, He'll be there to give us a push...or even to carry us if we can't make the rest of the journey.  I think about how proud a mother/father must become when they see their child take their first steps.  It's like a milestone crossed.  When I thought about it I had to ask myself, "Am I depriving my heavenly father of feeling that joy in seeing me, his daughter, taking steps on my own, not solely depending on Him to cater to me every step of the way?"  Have we gotten too comfortable being carried in His arms that we become spoiled and not able to do anything He's taught and trained us to do on our own?

I had a dream the other night that my niece had just begun to walk.  She was smiling and happy.  It was as if she just realized at that moment that she could do it by herself.  And in the dream, she came and sat next to me and was swinging her feet.  She had on some bright white baby shoes that we use to wear a long time ago...the ones that parents would buy their kids when it was time for them to walk.  Today, I went out and purchased two pair!  LOL  And this is just how God does us.  He gives us the provisions we all need to walk on our own two feet and gives us the support we need.  I'm sure God must see such a beautiful thing when we grow.  Let's no longer deprive our heavenly father of that great joy!

L8r:
~faithful

Happy 1st Birthday Kamiya :-)