She’s a climber. Never really had one before. My own two did not climb very much, certainly never climbed out of their cribs. Her sister was not much of one.
Climbing seems to be Jocelyn’s spiritual gift and she is excelling at getting herself in the most remarkable places. The thing about her climbing is it truly is not done mischievously. She just seems to do what is coming very naturally to her. And so, it should not have surprised me when I looked up from the sink to see her doing this…..
She managed to suspend herself, planking if you will, between the couch and the coffee table. Standing at the sink, I knew better than to say anything, yet I have never been more grateful for the open concept space of my home! No matter how many times I took her down, she resumed her position. One might think she was trying to climb up onto the table. This was actually the position of choice to watch TV!
As you can imagine, I sent the picture to her mom and the texting began….
“Oh my gosh, what is she doing?”
“She is going to be the death of me!”
“She is going to knock out her front teeth by the time she is 2!”
All very true comments. And yet, the truth is …. Jocelyn is a climber. Keeping her safe is a full time job all in itself. One too hard for me or truly for any of us. I found myself wondering…
- “Who will keep her safe at school?”
- “What about when she starts playing sports?”
- “Who is going to protect her little feelings when children say mean things?”
- “And what about boys? Who is going to hold her heart together when a boy shatters it to pieces?”
- “And driving on the road..who will protect her then?”
- “And then there are college rejection letters.”
Yes, who indeed? How does anyone stay safe in life?
As the day progressed and I continued to be amazed by Jocelyn’s feats of climbing, I remembered ….
Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God that a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29b-31, NLT)
My anxiety was immediately calmed by the reassurance of God’s protection over each of our lives. I prayed, asking God, to enable me to keep my eyes on Jocelyn throughout the day with the ability to recognize danger quickly. I asked Him to help me to keep her safe. And I asked Him to please wrap this precious girl in heavenly bubble wrap for the time being 🙂
Today I am linking with … Playdates With God and Unite and Soli Deo Gloria and Testimony Tues. and Titus 2 Tues. and Titus 2sday and Teaching What Is Good and Tell Me A Story and Growing Home .
Sweet Joceylyn! How often I have to remind myself that God loves my children and my grandchildren more than I ever will! Otherwise, I think I’d be paralyzed with fear over their safety. Thankful for a Father who watches over our every step. Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday today, friend!
Holly, that is it exactly! We would become paralyzed with fear apart from our God. May we remember to continually turn them over to Him who is able to keep them!
Thank you for sharing here at “Tell Me a Story,” about your climbing granddaughter. How sweet is the photo of her perch! I was reminded of the old song, “We are climbing Jacob’s Ladder to the sky.”
Hazel – once I read your comment yesterday, I found myself humming that song the rest of the day. I had not heard it in years. Thank you for sharing with me!
Joanne,
What a great way to see Jocelyn’s gift of climbing….she is blessed to have you praying for her 🙂
I truly understand. Some kids have a real heart to climb or run or do something others wouldn’t think of. And their safety comes from being held and protected by, if nothing else, an angel that has been assigned to them. Know it’s been the case for me as I was growing MANY years ago… climbing trees, biking too often, climbing around and around and onto roofs. I’m grateful that that Lord protected me. And to know kids still do those things, it’s a blessing to know our Lord is still fitting our present-day world. The story was a real blessing. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing about the way in which you have been kept safe. So encouraging to remember as we watch this next generation 🙂 Thank you for sharing with me!
How cute is she!!
She is! I just need more eyes, lol.