The last day of vacation I convinced my parents to go to the pool. [I will have to tell you the story about me vs. the sand in another blog.] The pool was like heaven on earth! While we were enjoying our morning, a large family with 5 boys came into the pool. It was clear that this family was from the area [North Carolina] with all the "ya'll's" carrying across the water.
I will tell you that I fell victim to a few ya'll's myself. I can't help it, I fall right back into my roots and my inner redneck is yearnin' to come out!!
There was this
precious little boy, probably 4 years old who was clearly the youngest of his brothers and cousins. [I heard his Mama call him Christian] The older boys jumped right into the deep end of the pool, while Christian was more timid and jumped cautiously into the shallow end. At one point, his Uncle was encouraging him to jump off the side, telling him that he would catch Christian if he couldn't touch. Bravely, he jumped. He proudly declared when he popped out of the water, "I 'kin touch!" So cute.
So, the boys were throwing a football back and forth across the pool with their Dad and Uncle, and poor little Christian wanted in on the action. Clearly the older boys were faster, better catchers, and better recipients for the ball. However, Christian didn't give up. He declared from the shallow end of the pool, "DADDY! DADDY! Throw the ball to me! I'm wiiiiiiiiiide open!"
Of course with his little accent it sounded more like "I'm wahhhhhhhde open!"
My Mom and I cooed, wishing we could take him home with us. We continue to laugh about his remark the rest of the day.
As we were driving home, I started to think about little Christian and the Lord revealed to me a cool point. Many days, I am like those older boys. Jumping confidently, skillfully into the deep end. Not needing the bottom of the pool as a safety net to touch, just going for it. Other days, I am like Christian. Too scared to go to the deep end, afraid I'll get in over my head if I can't touch the bottom, but eager to get in on the game. But the coolest thing is, no matter where I am, I try to intentionally position myself in a posture of receiving from the Lord.
I'm saying, "Daddy, I'm wiiiiiide open!"
I don't know if this will be the month. I don't know if this will be the year. Thinking about it makes me want to stay in the shallow end. But I do know that I'm wiiiide open to what God has for me.
THAT makes me want to jump, feet first, into the deep end.
Thinking about Christian reminded me of this song by Suzy Yaraei called "Open Wide":
Getting us ready You are
Touching places still dark
Deep inside of us
King of glory come in
Messing us up You are
Setting us up for
Eternal love oh
King of glory come in
Open wide
Open wide and we will usher You in
Open wide
Open wide oh King of glory come in
We're not holding on anymore
To the keys to the doors
We give them to You
King of glory come in
Oil the hinges on the gates
Turn the lock, roll the stones away
We call to You, Oh
King of glory come in
Tell me who is this King
Strong and mighty King
Power and glory King
