Without Training Wheels

It’s a breezy, warm, summer’s day.  Everything seems to be making its own melody. The trees sway in a happy dance with the wind, the sun beams flicker with excitement, the birds chirp and sing as if it were their last tune; all softly watching on to see if she’ll do it this time.

“She’s almost got it…there!..Uh!…OH..she’s…aaahhh” says the squirrels, as the 5 year old (going on 8) falls once again off her little pink bike.

Chloe determined not to have training wheels anymore! Why, she’s 5 today! “A whole hand full!” she declared after eagerly blowing out the candles on the purple cake with her name on it; for purple is her favorite color & mommy knew.

With mom and dad watching closely-ever ready to prevent a broken arm or clean a skinned knee, but allowing her to fall or stumble in order to learn to ride properly-she feels safe, but independent.

“I almost did it!” she shrikes as she pauses long enough to catch her breath. “You can do it sweetie!” they encourage.

Isn’t this the picture of our lives? No matter our age, aren’t we all trying to accomplish, achieve, or conquer a feat of our own? 

All trying to find our way, find a dream and daring to believe in it.

Learning to ride a bike was (at that time in each of our lives) the biggest feat to achieve; the balance, steering, peddling. For me, my bike was somewhat too big…my poor little legs couldn’t quite peddle and set down at the same time. 

But after about a day of spent hours on the hot pavement Chloe was a pro! Her purple and pink pom-poms blowing in the wind as she flies by mom and dad; now not afraid, but proud.

How many times has our Heavenly Father sat back and watched us as we try life out on our own? Jesus showed us how much He truly values children.

¹⁰ “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. ^{[11] [a]}

¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

                                                                           Matthew 18: 10-14

Think of a child you know. Think of a time that they showed complete trust; tons of faith and zero amounts of doubt.
Do you remember feeling that way at one point and time in your life?

Like you could accomplish anything! Answer this question:

        “What would I try if I knew I wouldn’t fail?”

A few months ago, it would’ve been completely impossible to answer that, because after being hurt, left, lost, depressed, without self-esteem, emotional disconnection, procrastination, & much more…I was unable to make decisions, my truster was broken, and I had no desire to dream a dream only to wake up to more disappointment.

It wasn’t until I stepped out of the dark corner I sat in that I forced myself to deal with my past, learn to God made me, & not be afraid to DREAM!

So whatever the answer to that question is, make THAT your LIFE resolution. Not just this year or the next, but if it’s something God put into your heart—then you’d be crazy NOT to work towards it.

Dare to dream BIGGER this year!