Stop Sidestepping

I was in the store with the big bulls-eye.
I told myself that I didn’t need a shopping cart.
I was only going to get a few things.
That was a mistake because I was carrying my few things in a very uncomfortable way.

I had them in my arms just so.
One little unplanned bump into someone else and my few things would go flying.
I was walking carefully, heading to the cash registers.
I was determined not to stop for anything else as I walked along.

Then I saw them.
I saw a mother holding the hand of a little girl.
The sweet little girl was a very new walker.
The mother, not in any rush, was allowing her little one room to explore.

They were coming towards me on one of the wider aisles.
I smiled at those little toddler legs that look like parentheses.
This little one was smiling ear to ear obviously very proud of herself.
The mother was holding her hand and encouraging her as she toddled about.

I smiled and wanted to park myself in a lawn chair that I saw nearby.
I wanted to watch the art of walking being mastered by one so new.
I remembered my own children as toddlers.
I remembered how they wanted to walk every chance they got.

I remembered how long things took when little legs like parentheses toddled along.
I remembered the sheer delight when that little face would look up and see me there.
In that look, I saw love, security, and the sheer pride in a skill now mastered.
In that look, I saw the beginning of walking away.

I had some reluctant walkers.
They were sidestepping along sofas, country benches, and coffee tables.
They experienced timidity about letting go.
They would turn, wanting so much to walk towards me, but one hand would not release.

A seasoned mother gave me advice at the time.
Put something soft and safe in each of their hands.
That will fool them into thinking that they are still holding on to the sofa.
I couldn’t imagine that something so simple would work.

I tried her suggestion.
We had soft books that came with a little bear, dog, cat, and frog.
These soft oval shapes were inserted into the book as part of the story.
Those soft oval shapes were the perfect things for the new walker to hold.

I gave the soft oval shapes to my reluctant walker; one for each hand.
I would move away from the sofa as they sidestepped their way down to the other end.
Come to Mommy! I would say with enthusiasm.
You can do it! Come to Mommy!

Without fail, they would take a step away from the sofa and into my arms.
They gave little regard to what they were holding.
They were holding something, the sofa for all they knew.
They were holding something and they felt safe.

This new little walker in the wide aisle was holding on to her mother.
She would stop and try to touch a low display.
Her mother kept her focused and directed her onward.
She kept toddling onward with the little legs that looked like parentheses.

She was smiling all the way.

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…For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.”
(Isaiah 41:10,13)

We can liken our faith journey to the toddler’s newly mastered skill.
We walk on shaky legs determined to do this all by ourselves.
We fail to realize that we are being guided along the way.
God’s hand is there but we give it little regard.

We sidestep along the things of the world.
We are hesitant to let go.
We know this territory; it is our comfort zone.
We have walked this way many times before.

But like sidestepping the sofa or the coffee table, this worldly journey has its limitations.
Our comfort zone is restrictive and confining.
There is a whole new world a few steps away if only we would let go.
We don’t even notice that we are holding onto something in our hand.

The touch is subtle but ever present.
We have little regard for what we are holding.
All we know is all we know.
There is a whole new world if we would only take a step away from what we cling to tightly.

We look up and see His face.
We realize that we are no longer holding on to the comfortable.
We are holding on to the Comforter.
The Comforter that calls our name and says, Come to Daddy.

We walk on shaky legs.
We are new at this type of walking.
It is a skill we will never master apart from His Hand.
We have to stop sidestepping and walk onward, always onward with God our Father.

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.”

Do not fear.
God has you.
You must have regard for the One who is holding your hand.
Look up; do you see His face?

Stop sidestepping in your comfort zone.
Begin your journey.
Take a few steps towards Him who never lets you go.
Walk onward; always onward.

2 responses to “Stop Sidestepping”

1. What a sweet picture, a little one just learning to walk. As you said, just the beginning of the walk away from Mom and Dad. But God is always walking alongside us in everything we do–we have to remember to take His Hand.

   Reply

   • Sue,
     If we would only remember WHO we are holding on to. He never lets go and yet we often take the credit for the success of our walk. I pray that we may regard the hand of the One who is holding us.
     Gina

     Reply