Calling Out with Confidence

“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, NIV

This past weekend, we took our grandchildren and their daddy to the elementary school playground behind our house. The grands believe we own the playground, so a visit to our home is not complete without playground free play.

Each of our grandkids has a different favorite. Our granddaughter likes to pretend the ground is lava. She and her aunt take turns pretending to be the lava monster and chasing each other all over the play set. Our oldest grandson loves pretending he’s a Ninja Warrior and swinging from bar to bar or ring to ring.

Not quite four, our youngest grandson usually sticks to the slide. He climbs to the top, grabs the bar situated just above the launch pad, and dangles for a moment, swinging his feet out over the slide and back to the platform. He’s growing bigger, but this move still steals my breath and causes my heart to skip a beat every time. After a few swings from the bar, allegedly there for safety—or maybe stability, Griffin drops to the platform and launches himself down the slide. Then he runs around to repeat the game again and again and again.

This past weekend, though, he decided to climb. Before we knew what was happening, he had pulled himself almost to the top of a Lego-blue wall filled with holes of all sizes for kids to use as hand and footholds.

“Whoa! Look at Griffin go!” said my son, drawing my attention from one child to another. My grandson was about six feet off the ground, but he was moving carefully, testing every new hold before letting go of an old one to move another limb. He was doing well, so we continued to watch from where we were. We could see that a fall was unlikely, and a soft landing awaited should one occur.

As we watched, Griffin was able to move a little further up the wall before becoming stuck. He tried to move to the right but decided against that. He tried to move up, then down, and then to the left. He couldn’t seem to find a hold that he felt comfortable with. Finally, he stopped moving, turned toward his dad, and hollered, “I need help!”

His voice didn’t hold panic or desperation. Griffin wasn’t clinging for dear life, fearing he’d let go and fall. He had simply realized he couldn’t go anywhere else on his own, so he turned to his father and stated his need.

My son didn’t hesitate. He jumped up and ran to where Griffin was waiting and helped him find his next safe position on the wall.

 Father, thank You for letting me witness this encounter between son and grandson. Help me remember it the next time I feel stuck. I know You are here, always near, letting me learn through the struggle, but ready to help when I call. I don’t need to panic or fear. You will share Your strength and wisdom. You will hold me up, so I won’t fall. Thank You, Father. I love You. Amen.

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Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash