But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1-2
My sister carried my three year old nephew toward the beautiful blue Atlantic Ocean. “NO! I don't want to go!” screamed Mason. “What is his problem?” I asked my sister. “Yesterday, he was tripped and landed face down in the water,” she explained. “So, today he's terrified to get near the ocean. But, he needs to learn that it's safe to return.” After a few seconds, Mason's mom carried him back to the calm of the shore. All the while, Mason watched intently as his father stayed knee deep in the ocean's waves.
About an hour later, Mason quietly walked right up to me at the water's edge. His arms and his eyes were open wide. “Do you want to go?” I asked him. “Yes,” he said. So I picked him up and carried him out to where his dad stood. “Do you want to get in the water, Mason?” I asked him. “Yes,” he said. So I lowered him in the water and raised him up again to his sheer delight! He looked at his dad and said, “Look Daddy, I did it! I did it! I stood up and didn't fall!”
The same day Mason fell in the ocean, my heart fell into despair. A trusted friendship was torn apart. I fell face down into confusion, hurt, and fear. My ocean was called “Trust” and my heart was terrified to return. I knew that I needed to trust again, but not now. Just like Mason, there was a time to wait on the shore. My heart must heal before it can return to feel. Not with time or experience. Waiting on God and waiting with God is the only way for the broken to truly be made whole. Just like Mason, I would not be carried, but would walk alone to face my fear. Step by step, a heart of faith transforms waters of fear into waves of delight. I would simply come into the arms of one waiting and welcoming; thrilling in the immersion of love, trust, and relationship.
All the while, gazing at my smiling Father saying, “Look Daddy I did it! I stood up and didn't fall!” Adding, “It's only because of You. Waiting patiently for me to return here by Your side. These are YOUR waters of trust, love, intimacy, and joy that wash over my heart. You call to me by my name, reminding me that I am Yours and and I can trust You here. Always. You are my delight, I am with You here, in the desires of my heart. Thank You, Saviour, Redeemer, Father and Love!"
