Jump

It is so cool...we've got a swimming pool in our neighborhood. I feel like I'm living in luxury. All we have to do is walk down the street, turn left, walk 160 yards, and we are in swim heaven. The pool is a great size and there's nice pool-side furniture.

None of that is why I'm writing, though. Here's why I'm writing: Have you ever seen a child when he realizes the water isn't going to eat him up, but that it's like a big interactive toy? My boys have both hit that sweet spot. My oldest did last week and my three year old did yesterday.

Last week, Nathan realized he could put his whole body under the water and float and swim around, and that it was acturally fun. Yesterday, Matthew realized he could float along with his bubble on. Next Nathan found the fun in jumping off of the side of the pool into the cool blue water. Matthew also found jumping to be worth the risk. He kept wanting to do it over and over and over and each time he jumped he had this huge smile on his face like this was the most amazing thing ever thought of. I wish you could have been there. It was pure joy for a father to watch.

Their reckless abandon got me thinking about life, our lives, and God. Really, life is all about jumping, at least the parts of life worth living. It's a jump to go to our first day of school, it's a jump when we move off to college, it's a jump when we get our first job, it's a jump to drive the car solo for the first time, it's a jump getting married, it's a jump having kids, it's a jump becoming a Christ follower, it's a jump being obedient to the voice of God.

The reason those are all jumps is because they each come with risk and the possiblity failure. They move us out of our comfort zones and into a place of uncertainty. But at the same time, I think that God loves to watch us jump.

As Matthew was flinging himself into the pool I just laughed and laughed. It was hillarious to see his excitement and abandon. I think God might look at you and me the same way when we plunge into life with the same passion and abandonment. I would write more, but my boys just woke up. My encouragement to all of us is to jump. Then listen and I think you'll hear God laugh and know that he is pleased with you. Until next time...