Monday morning is here.  Please excuse me if I get too random; I am still working on my coffee.  Anyway, sorry I have not updated this site for a couple days.  My wife and I were in Cloquet for my cousin’s wedding.  What a fun time that was seeing family we have not seen for a while.  But the highlight for me, other than seeing my cousin get married, was spending time with my parents, sister, brother-in-law and niece.  My niece, Meara, needed a little time to warm up to Connie and me, but once she did, she kept us running.  I forgot how much energy a two year old has. 

On Saturday the family took Meara to the park and we played on the equipment.  That was a lot of fun for Meara; so much so that when we decided it was time to go Meara had one of her two-year-old fits.  But the fit soon passed; then we were off to the pool.  This was Meara’s first time in a pool so it was fun watching her experience this.  She loved it.  Soon I decided that she should not have all the fun so I got my suit on and jumped in.  Actually I did a huge cannonball; water everywhere.  Apparently Meara loved it; she couldn’t stop giggling.  Then Meara decided she wanted to try that and ran to the deep end.  Of course we would not let her jump in and that made her mad.  Where ever she went there I was waiting to catch her or someone on the pool deck was right next to her.  But Meara wanted to jump in without any help and screamed when we got close.  Eventually Connie decided Meara needed to experience what she was trying to experience.  She grabbed Meara and tossed her into the pool…<pause for effect>…don’t worry; Connie tossed Meara to me so I could catch her.  Meara went under a little bit and then cleared the water from her face.  We were sure that this would satisfy her curiosity, but no.  Meara immediately started fussing and wanted to do it again…this time with no help.

But you know, people are no different than Meara.  Here we are stopping Meara from literally jumping into the deep end when we as adults do that all the time.  We take chances, try new things, go out onto a limb and risk it all.  No one is there to stop us and if they were, we might throw a two-year-old fit as well.  So we jump in; often times not knowing the risks.  But when it comes to God, our attitudes change.  But here is some good and encouraging news; here is the fun part, "Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)  I love that verse.  Any verse that reminds me that God is not going to let me down is awesome.  I mean think about it; when we take chance (for God) God will be faithful to keep us from "going under".  When we "jump into the deep end" and love someone we are scared to love (for God) God will be faithful if or when we get hurt.  When we "dive in" and serve one another (for God) God will be faithful to give you strength.  We take chances in life and jump into the deep end, why don’t we do that for God?  God is faithful and will not let you "drown".  Jump in; love someone who others have labeled unlovable; serve one another; welcome the stranger. Let’s have the bravery of a two-year-old and jump in (for God)…for God is faithful. Amen!