faith like a child

ever wonder what that expression means? "faith like a child"...it was actually first introduced to me when i was a camper...a story about how the camp family's kids would run up and jump on her from behind whether she was ready or not...always knowing and trusting that she would catch them...and how this is how our life with God should be reflected. we should be able to throw everything down and run to Him and always trust that He would catch us-and be unhindered by that...

that being said, it's not ironic that i would be re-introduced to this analogy at the same camp and by the same family. the youngest child of this family has stolen my heart. he is only 8 and the fears and anxieties that exist within his little mind are beyond me. they are beyond some of the biggest anxieties and fears i've had at age 23, let alone 8. while babysitting them, some of these fears were starting to creep into his little mind. before we left the house it was just he and i and he asked if we could pray to God. all i could say was yes, of course. we established that he wanted me to say the prayer and we did. i knew there was so much i wanted to ask God for this little boy but had no idea what words i could say without messing up that would also comfort him. i knew the prayer wasn't for me, and that God was gonna work through it for him...but still

what's the point? it's not to put this family on the spot, or to say hey, i prayed with this little boy, isn't that awesome...it's about having faith like a child. the first thing he wanted to do amidst fear was pray. and he was comforted by it. why does it seem to get harder and harder to drop everything and pray and trust wholeheartedly that our God is going to comfort us as we pray to Him. it seems that the older we get, the harder we try to solve our problems on our own. i'm learning from him and everyone in this family-they are truly inspiring and God is teaching me so so so much through them-much more than i ever could have guessed.
it's late and i'm not even sure it all made sense, but that is my story and my prayer-that if you're reading this, you'll be reminded to have faith like a child-to throw everything down that is hindering you at the foot of the cross for your Savior to take and carry for you.