Heart Choices: 2013-06-30 -->

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Learning to Trust


Walking by faith requires trust.  But what happens when you find it hard to trust.  After all, people you thought you could trust may have let you down.  That hurts!  And who wants to experience that kind of hurt again?  So we determine not to trust or depend on anyone but ourselves.  But how's that working for you?

This summer I'm working with preschool children in camp.  Every morning the children have swim instruction.  James was a new four year old child.  As we walked single file towards the swimming pool, he kept telling me he didn't want to go under water.  I introduced James to his swim instructor Jenna and told her about his fear.  I observed James throughout his first swim lesson.

Jenna worked on establishing trust with James.  She took off her sunglasses so he could see her eyes.  She told him she wouldn't let him go.  She held his hand as she taught him to blow bubbles in the water.  He still hadn't put his head in the water though.

Jenna finally got James to lie on his back so he could learn to float.  I could see him struggling for control.  Each time he took his eyes off of Jenna, he began to sink and get scared.  She kept asking James to look at her eyes and reassure him that she wouldn't let him go.  I could see his body relax and ...he floated.

When the lessons were completed, James was smiling and excited. Until the next day ...

Once again, James began to tell me he was not going to go under the water.  Jenna worked with James assuring him that she wouldn't let him go.  Finally, she talked to him about putting his head under the water.  He agreed as she held his hand.  His head went under and then up he came.  He laughed.  It wasn't so bad after all.  When he left to go home that day, he excitedly told his mom that he had gone under the water.

The next day James came to camp, he kept telling me he wasn't going to swim.  I asked him why.  He said he didn't want to put his head under the water.  I asked him if his eyes hurt when he went under the water.  He said no.  I asked him if his ears hurt him and again he said no.  Finally, he looked at me and said "I want to do it myself."

I don't know if James had an experience in the past that caused this fear.  But isn't this something we adults often say?  "I want to do it myself." We are afraid to trust someone else and depend on ourselves even when we don't know what we're doing.

God is trustworthy.  He isn't like humans who may have disappointed us in some way.  As a child of God, He holds our hand.  Sometimes I forget this and get scared.  Instead of looking to Jesus, I look to myself and I begin to sink.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

James continues to take swim instruction each day at summer camp. Jenna continues to work with him on developing trust and he is growing in confidence as he makes progress.

How about you?  Are you learning to walk by faith trusting in the God who created you and loves you?  Or are you depending on yourself?


I'm linking up with Charlotte for Spiritual Sundays.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Five Minute Friday ~ Beautiful


It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with The Gypsy Mama.  We are given a word each week and we get to write for five minutes flat.  Our word for this week is BEAUTIFUL.

GO

There is beauty all around.  The flowers in my garden.  The mountains that are uniquely formed into shapes that resemble a camel's back or a praying monk.  The sun that shines brightly in the sky.  The flags that are flying half mast for 19 days to honor the firemen who died in Yarnell. The words to 'God Bless America'.  The music and fireworks as we celebrate the 4th of July.  The sweet faces of the preschool children in summer camp as they learn that freedom costs and we are grateful.  The faith God gave to me so I could believe.  Abiding in that love and experiencing His love in a personal relationship. Having that love overflow to others ...now that's beautiful. 

STOP


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

How to Beat the Heat in Phoenix


Beach Rules
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What do you do when it's 119 degrees outside?  I'd love to be able to head to the beach and unwind.  But it's just not going to happen right now.  So I'm making the best of it and trying to beat the heat in Phoenix.

Summer camp with preschool children can be a challenge with triple digit heat.  Instead of running around outside, I plan fun activities and crafts to keep them busy and engaged.  Daily swim instruction helps too.  But I love to observe the children during free times of play when they have to remain in the classroom.  What do they do?

Violet reads a book about Madeline.  She doesn't know all of the words but that doesn't stop her from trying.  After all, she knows the story.

They form their own band.  One is playing an imaginary flute while the other is playing the violin.  And of course they need a conductor.

This coming week will be fun as I get to teach them about America on our around the world theme.  It works perfectly with the 4th of July.  I enjoy holidays more working with children.  We are going to make some cool patriotic crafts this week.  It will be fun!

I was thrilled to get two tickets to see "Sister Act" at Arizona State University's Gammage Theater.  My friends Terri and Steve have season tickets but were out of town.  So they offered them to me and guess what?  They were in the fourth row center; a great view.  I loved the play.  I'd seen the movie with Whoopi Goldberg years ago. The music was changed as it was set in the 80's when disco music was the rage.  My friend Theresa accompanied me and we both laughed and laughed.  A good way to be entertained and keep cool except when we had to get back to the car.  Oh well, that's life in Phoenix. 

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So even in the extreme heat of the summer, I will continue to count my every day blessings.

#857 Air conditioning that works
#868 Observing children using their imaginations
#859 Having fun doing creative craft projects with kids
#860 Great seats to see "Sister Act"
#861 An entertaining afternoon of music and laughs
#862 Fun with good friends
#863 A pool I can jump into after work

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.

 

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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