Going on walks with Teo is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. Teo is a two year boy stuck in a house full of girls! He comes alive outside! It brings my heart so much joy to take his little hand and enjoy exploring with him.
Yesterday, we were outside, and Teo smiled at me and eagerly lifted his arms up to me asking me to carry him. I picked him up and walked around the soccer field. He made his little growl noise, his way of communicating, and pointed down the hill. As we started down the hill he wanted to walk himself. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he lifted his little hand up to mine, grabbed it, and smiled up at me. As we walked, Teo got excited about everything. If there was a mud puddle, he stopped and jumped in it. If there was a rock, he picked it up and carried it with him. If there was a bug, he screeched in delight, picked it up, and handed it to me with a massive smile. I couldn’t help but smile and receive the gift. His joy in giving it to me moved my heart. He then would brush his hands off, reach up, and grab mine again. We continued down the hill, and every once and while Teo would trip, his little knees would hit the ground, but I would pull him back up before he fell completely. He would keep walking like nothing happened. We stopped for a minute and looked around. I took in the view and cherished the sweet moment. Teo decided he wanted to go back up the hill. About a minute in, he sat down tired. I leaned over him, and he immediately raised his little arms up asking me to carry him. I giggled to myself and picked him with so much joy in my heart, and carried him all the way up.
Through all of this the Lord has been teaching me something. This walk with Teo is very similar to the daily walk of life that the Lord invites us on.
BUT
Very few of us actually slow down and enjoy life with God on a daily basis.
Sometimes our “walks” with the Lord look more like us running ahead to try and figure everything out, or refusing to to take His hand because we do not trust Him. Some of us believe He is just a distant God, and He doesn’t care about our daily life. Some of us are worried about how quickly we can finish or accomplish something for God to make Him proud and earn His love. Some of us fall down, but instead of brushing it off, we stay there and let the mistakes and the pain keep us trapped. We let our failures define us, and we hide from God instead of letting Him pick us up and brush our knees off. When we get tired of life or burnt out on religion, we quit. We shut down. We guard our hearts and we stay there until something wakes us up again. Some completely give up on God. There are also some of us that can push through all of this. We muster the strength to keep going. We show up to church, we post the right things, we lead the events, but our hearts are heavy. We typically let our performance define us. We run the race, and when we make it to the top we quickly search for the next mountain to climb. We try to earn God’s love, but we are missing the point.
The point isn’t to finish as quickly as possible. It isn’t to heal and move on. It is not about all your accomplishments. It is not about being perfect.
It is about enjoying life with your hand in His.
It is about the day to day walk with the Lord. It is about the mundane. It is about resting in Him. It is about trust.
We have an amazing God. One that is pursing you all day long every day of your life. He is waiting for you to put your hand in His, to call out for help, to trust Him. He delights in you.
Over the last 8 months God has shown me that He doesn’t care how many mountains I climb. He has taught me that He will catch me when I trip, pick me up when I fall, redirect me if I go down the wrong path, and will carry me when I’m tired. He loves the gifts I offer Him. He sees my heart. He loves to walk with me. He loves when I get excited about things. He shows me His creation and reveals His gentle heart more every day. He loves holding my hand. He loves carrying me. He loves me, and He wants me to be at rest.
And the same is for you.
He is desperate for you to slow down. He desires to take your hand. He wants you to enjoy this life and to share every moment of it with Him.
You might ask what I mean by take His hand, and my answer to that would be this; slow down and enjoy every day with God. Ask Him to show you how He feels about you. Ask Him to reveal Himself more to you. Seriously, ask, and then listen for His response. Let Him show up. Let God drop 18 inches from your head to your heart. He is pursing you!!! Trust Him. Be aware of Him.
The greatest gift you can offer the Lord is daily placing your hand in His.
So many people are running through this life. If that is you, I pray this hits you hard enough for you to stop and ask yourself, “Why am I doing all of this?”
So many people are hurt, tired, and laying on the ground. If that is you, I pray this hits you soft enough for you to put your heart back in His hands and ask yourself, “Where did I stop trusting you God?”
God is crazy about you. He created you, and He is so good. Oh, He is better than we can even imagine.
How much more do you think God cherishes you than I cherish little Teo that I only met one month ago?
Go back and read my walk with Teo again and see yourself in the story.
Where are you?
What are you doing?
How is God responding?
I pray you slow down today. I pray you let God move your heart.
I love you all, and so does He.
– Abigail Grace
