On the weekends, kids at the pool watch the clock closely, eagerly waiting for ‘adult swim’ to officially be over. Last weekend, while he was waiting, one little boy went to the large ruler by the stairs that lead to the big, covered, winding slide to see if he was tall enough to go on it. The teenage lifeguard sweetly had the boy take off his tennis shoes (no cheating!) and stand next to the ruler. Though the boy was close, he wasn’t quite tall enough but didn’t seem bothered by the news. He politely thanked the lifeguard and walked away. Later on my way out of the pool, I had a nice conversation with him and his mother. She explained that he was excited to stand by the ruler to see how far he’s come. They go to the pool about once a month, and he stands by the ruler on every visit. Instead of being discouraged by not reaching the required height again and again, he is encouraged by the progress he’s made and knows he is almost there.
Despite not getting to go on the slide that day, this little boy had fun in the pool and was excited to show me how well he could swim. He focused on what he could do – not what he couldn’t. The happy time will come when he meets the required height to go on the slide, but while he is waiting (for something which is out of his control), he is still finding joy in what he has. I found that to be a valuable faith lesson – appreciating and experiencing the gifts of the present while looking forward with hope to what is to come.
In a busy and distracted adult life, we might consider welcoming the enlightened example of this child. Do we see how far we’ve come, or do we only see what’s out of reach? Are we grateful for what we can do and the possibilities in our journey ahead, or do we only note what’s not working and what we don’t have? Do we dwell in the disappointment of another failed plan, or do we find encouragement in the hope of being almost there? Will we be led by thoughts that are not of God, or in faith, will our trust in God’s loving plan for us be our comfort?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11) Let us pray in thanksgiving for the gift of our current joys and for the strength to wait in hope for what is to come, trusting we are almost there.
Journeying to Grace 