Dive in

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

For three summers I've been trying to get my oldest son to swim.  In order to swim he has to put his face in the water.  He has been afraid.  He's always been a pretty easy going child.  I can usually tell him something and he'll trust me at my word.  But not on swimming.  It doesn't matter how many times I tell him:
"I'm right here it will be okay."
"The lifeguards will keep you safe."
"The water isn't going to hurt you - close your mouth and close your eyes and it will be okay."
"In fact it will be fun.  If you will just relax and trust me..."

Over the past two weeks he's had a development.  We did private lessons for one week in June and he made headway in that - but still did not want to put his face in the water.  We decided to give it another whirl and sign up for the group lessons.  By the third day he had decided he wanted to jump off the diving board (into a lifeguards arms).  I didn't think he'd do it.  But he walked right up and jumped in without hesitation.  Today (one week later) we spend almost two hours in the pool with him learning to swim under water for the first time and having me time how long he could stay under water for.  The confidence and peace that came over him was amazing to watch and such a good reminder for me.  I knew all along that if he would just trust me and try it - he would be good at it!

Often there are things that I try to control and don't just trust God on.  We try to go about things in our own way - thinking we know best.  God provides us with so much guidance in his word.  When I do let go and dive in, the situation becomes easier or makes more sense.  Whether we like it or not, God is always in control...now to have the patience to let him be!

Heavenly Father,
You provide us with guidance in your word on how to be a great mother and wife.  Please help me to use that guidance and not try to do it my own way.  Help me to trust you as I raise my children.  
Amen