The bravest toddler I’ve ever known is Ethan. My grandson was almost 2 years old when he showed me courage that I will never forget.
Our family was enjoying an outing flying kites. We had a colorful oversized 3-D kite shaped like a fish. Each time it successfully caught the wind, we watched the kite soar and lift and fly above us but eventually land back on the grass. Everyone ran and laughed and chased along and soon it would rise to float across the sky again.
On one landing, Ethan ran ahead of everyone and jumped onto the kite. He mounted himself onto the back as though that orange fish had a saddle. He looked up at us with enthusiastic eyes smiling to say “ready!” I can only imagine what he thought would happen next as he expected to ride “Nemo” up into the clouds on the next breeze. What an adventure into the unknown that would be!
I’ve always admired how brave that was. But now I realize this was an example of childlike faith. He trusted us to watch over him and keep him safe as we held on to the kite string, running alongside to support him as he enjoyed what he envisioned this action ride would be. Oh, to be so eager to step out in faith, put action to our dreams, and trust our Father to lead and protect us.
Matthew 18:3 And He [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Faith is a gift from God, as we see in Ephesians 2:8–10. How does a child receive a gift? With openness and unbridled joy. As we receive God’s gift in Christ, I pray that we embrace the God-given dreams and respond to His call to action. May we soar with the joy of the Lord and the wind of His Holy Spirit to lift us.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
--Lori Ralls is the manager/owner of Celebrate Communion with her husband Craig. They are grandparents to nine amazing grandkids. After church this weekend, Ethan, now 13 years old, whispered: "Grama, I'm ready to ride Nemo!" Of course that was the perfect cue to find photos of that day and document his joyful story.