Yes, this is me:) Taken by my friend, Lisa Tarplee
There is something magical about the long evenings of summertime. The heat of the day has cooled, making the outdoors more enjoyable. While adults sit around and talk, forgetting the time, barefoot children run free through the soft grass. They chase fireflies and capture them like the dreams we hold in our heart.
When I was a child, many summer evenings were spent on our metal swing set in the backyard. Everything had been removed, except for the swings. My sister and I had the habit of swinging like monkeys from the top of the swing set, making add-ons like seesaws a nuisance. Oh, how I loved that swing set! Pumping my legs, pulling forward with my arms, I tried to touch the leaves of the trees overhead with the tips of my toes. My hair would blow back with each motion forward as I swung higher and higher. When I got as high as I could…I would jump off and see how far away from the swing set I could land.
How freeing it is to soar in the air, to run barefoot in the grass, and to jump into the wind with reckless abandon. Children live in the moment, enjoying the tiny details of life, while adults bear the burdens of the world on their shoulders. Children marvel at the little things, voice excitement for no reason, and hold nothing back.
This past week I was challenged to find my inner child through a photo scavenger hunt sponsored by my church. I have to tell you, it was hard to find that little girl who once loved risk, silliness, and finding fun in the moment. We took family pictures all over town doing silly things like dressing up as super heroes and pretending to rescue our pastor, pretending to read a bed time story at a mattress store, and swimming in the pool fully clothed. It was hard to put down my to-do list and worries and join the adventure. I was challenged to let go, laugh, and do the unexpected.
I find that I have an even harder time being like a child in my relationship with my heavenly Father. I don’t live in the moment and trust Him for the future. I fail to enjoy the littlest blessings He provides. I don’t love Him with abandon or run to greet Him the way my son does my husband upon his return from work.
But I want to. I want to be like a child with my Abba. I want to be like that little girl on the swing, having no fears, and jumping into the unknown future. I want to trust Him completely for my every need. I want to believe that He knows what is best for me. I want to rest in His lap, knowing He will protect me. I want to run free and wild in my faith and feel the wind of His love blow my hair and brush my cheek. I want to laugh with joy, knowing that all my worries and cares are in His sovereign hands.
It is hard on my own to peel back the layers and find my inner child. But with Christ, all things are possible. His love for me frees me from all my burdens and cares. As I focus on that love and all He has done for me, my heart starts skipping with the release of all my worries. Slowly it begins to run and before I know it, my heart is soaring in the freedom of a beloved child of God.
(By the way, did I mention that our childish antics this week included toilet papering our pastor’s office?)
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15
Continuing to count His gifts of grace (#1700-1715)
The freedom to dive in to faith
That I can completely abandon myself to Christ and trust Him
Living in the moment
Fun with my family and church friends on our scavenger hunt
Pastor with a good sense of humor
A new blog design:)
Filling up a prayer journal and opening up a brand new one
The amazing friends I’ve made in the blog world
Getting to meet some of those friends at the SheSpeaks conference
My husband surprising me with a first class flight to the conference
Another surprise: flowers sent to my room
Learning from amazing speakers about writing and speaking for God
3 great meetings with publishers who took my proposal
Making new friends:)
Releasing my dreams into the world
Linking up with my friends at:
Beautiful gratitude list. I LOVE that picture!
Thank you! I’m always amazed at what a camera can capture and my friend captured it perfectly!
That scavenger hunt sound likes so much fun! And I was always scared to jump off the swingset…yes that’s probably a bit symbolic of me as an adult!
Mary Beth @newlifesteward
It was fun, though it took me a while to get into it:) Thanks for visiting!
I miss the joy and freedom of jumping off a swing. Thinking about doing it now just seems painful. I will have to try it again.
Honestly, sometimes swinging makes me nauseous:) Just another side effect of adulthood. Thanks for stopping by!
“they will soar on wings like eagles,” Loved seeing your picture on the swing and thinking about how when we wait on the LORD, we will soar with the joy of the LORD like a child swinging in the breeze. Blessings to you.
Joy
Thank you! Sometimes we need to act like children to remember what it feels like to soar. So thankful we are His beloved children. Blessings to you!
This is a great insight, Christina. I’m right there with you, trying to get in touch with my child-like faith and climbing into my Father’s lap whenever I have time alone with him. I appreciate your heart on this and am thankful for your inspiring words!
It’s so hard as adults to trust the Father with child-like faith. There are too many distractions and burdens that weigh us down. May we all release those burdens to Him and run to His arms. Blessings!
love the pic - LOVED the swing…. only 11 more months until next year
*** love the confession about the tp’ed office… had been wondering who the culprit was
Thanks! Lisa does magic with a camera:)
I remember spending so much time outdoors as a girl. I too had a swing set, but with a banana seat. Boy did I spend hours imagining I was somewhere else. I bet I clocked thousands of hours on that swing! I too struggle with regaining the innocence and carefree nature of a child. I tend to act more like the spoiled one who stomps her foot when things don’t go her way
Thanks for the wonderful post! I hope the conference went well!
I’m that spoiled one too! Thanks for visiting!
Great post! I love the way you’ve talked about child-like faith. Something so easily forgotten in the stress of everyday life.
Awesome list, lots to be thankful for!
Thanks! And don’t you just love the photo?:)
Pingback: Child-like faith. » Lisa Tarplee Photography
I want to as well, Christina. Love Him in complete abandon. And I pray the days I succeed come closer and closer together…
LOVE that picture of you, friend!!
Beautiful post as always…thanks for stirring my heart.
Congratulations on releasing your dreams, how exciting!
Thanks! It is exciting:)
I love family scavenger hunts and this one sounds great and purposeful.
I keep seeing more and more bloggers that were at SheSpeaks. Was it wonderful?
It was great! I learned a lot and am still processing it. Information overload:)
What a fun experience! I love that your church maintains a sense of whimsy-I keep reminding people that Christians aren’t all sour faced meanies…we are defined by our surrender and our redemption by Grace. We’re still human. I love your search for childlike innocence. As I age, I find myself reminded that adulthood is overrated. There is so much about childhood that should endure in us…” I want to be like that little girl on the swing, having no fears, and jumping into the unknown future. I want to trust Him completely for my every need. I want to believe that He knows what is best for me. I want to rest in His lap, knowing He will protect me. I want to run free and wild in my faith and feel the wind of His love blow my hair and brush my cheek. I want to laugh with joy, knowing that all my worries and cares are in His sovereign hands.”
Beautiful. So glad I linked with SDG…
Peace and good to you.
Whimsy is a good word:) Yes, we had fun. This Sunday, we are having a fellowship lunch and watching a slide show of the pictures. I’m sure I’ll be red-faced the whole time!
Some of the best moments of parenting is when I enjoy being a child right along with my daughters, and dance aimlessly in the living room.
Good reminders.
Have you made a video of it? Sweet memories for your girls:)
I always have trouble “playing.” There’s always one more thing to cross off my list. You’ve encouraged me to make the time.
I know, I always have a long list:) So glad you were encouraged today!
Awesome blessings.
Thanks, Denise!
This spoke volumes to me… “I want to be like a child with my Abba. I want to be like that little girl on the swing, having no fears, and jumping into the unknown future. I want to trust Him completely for my every need. I want to believe that He knows what is best for me. I want to rest in His lap, knowing He will protect me. I want to run free and wild in my faith and feel the wind of His love blow my hair and brush my cheek. I want to laugh with joy, knowing that all my worries and cares are in His sovereign hands.”
Thank you so much for this post. It reminded me of my own childhood so long ago and that freedom that I felt. I loved these words so much.
Stopping by from OYHT… will stop in again!
Oh, you are so kind! I know, childhood is so long ago:) It’s good to seize that freedom of just being with our Abba. Blessings to you!
LOVE your list! The ticket and flowers… Wow! So, so, so happy for you. Praying much favor on your proposal with those publishers!
Thanks! Amazing, isn’t it? All those seemingly little blessings. They are around us every day, grace from His hand. Thanks for visiting!
Such a great reminder to live life that way!! Great post!
Thanks so much!
We are never too old (trust me on this) to crave the His joy. Though retired and a Meme, the joy of the Lord is still my stength and I want that joy to be reflect on my face and in my life. Love your post and look forward to another visit.