"Apprehensive."

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 88 -

There's something so assuring about 

learning from Daddy's lap.

It's safe!  I know He's right there.  I can hear His voice.  I can feel His presence.  I'm strapped right to Him.  I know that He's really the one in control -- even though it's my hands on the steering wheel.

Years ago, when my kids were quite small, I remember taking them to the local Go-Kart Racetrack.  They had never seen such a thing.  All three of the kids just stood there by the chain linked fence, watching the cars go around the track.  WOW!  

It didn't take long for them to insist on giving it a go.  All except one... Joey.  He wasn't quite sure about the whole thing.  That was a little odd.  Being the boy in the family, I expected Joey to be the first one in line, begging to jump in and go.  Not so.  He was a little apprehensive about the whole thing.  Oh he loved it!  He thought it was very cool -- but getting in and driving it himself, was another story.

"apprehensive" means...

- worried

- anxious

- uneasy

- tense

- afraid

His two sisters -- one older and one younger -- didn't wait for him.  As soon as it was time for a new race, off they went.  Gracie -- the youngest -- was too small to go alone, so she sat in her Dad's lap.  Around and around the track they went --  Joe watching from the fence.  I tried to encourage him to give it a try, but he wouldn't hear it.  He was afraid.  

Oh how I wanted him out there!  I knew he'd absolutely love it!  Just looking at him, I could see that half of him was desperate to try it out, while the other half wouldn't budge!  Then his Dad offered to sit in the go-kart with him.  That was a happy medium.  He jumped at the opportunity! 

 Round and round the track he went, 

each time a little faster, each time 

gaining assurance.  It only took one race.  

The next time, he wanted to go solo. 

That's how it is sometimes when it comes to the things of God.  Many times I've stayed a few rows back -- behind the fence, per say, where it's safe -- and just observed.  Though many encouraged me,  I held back.  But I'm not standing behind the fence anymore.  The Holy Spirit --  "The Friend that sticks closer than a brother"  -- He worked with me.  He held my hand, talked me through it, and stayed with me until I was comfortable with the whole thing.  Now I'm out there with everyone else having a blast!  That is until the next new thing comes along.  LOL.  What can I say?  For some of us, it's a process!

Everyone needs a little space sometime before stepping out in RED shoes!

Gail