NATURE OR NURTURE?

I am really enjoying swimming these days. I joined a pool closer to home with long hours of operation so I can go all hours of the day. It is a salt pool and warmer than normal because it is a therapy pool. The gym equipment is the more popular option at this gym, and the pool is usually deserted. Having a pool to myself that I don’t have to maintain is a real blessing!

I was getting ready to go from the locker room to the pool when a frazzled lady came scurrying in. “Be prepared! There is a swarm of kids in there!”

The pool was rented for a birthday party but as long as I got a few square feet, I was good to go. Kids seldom bother me and bring me great joy. I love the saying, “My day is complete, I heard a child laugh.” And boy, were they laughing – and screaming – and jumping – and splashing. And I loved it!

One floatie-swaddled little boy was smiling from ear to ear and paddling happily around the pool. He would float to his mom, say a few words, and go on his way. I chatted with him a bit in passing, and he came over to me several times to make sure I was watching and cheering him on. What a cutie!

Another little boy clung to his mom and scowled at anyone who came close. He too was appropriately safe with arm floaties. As his mom tried to force him to trust the floaties, he screamed and clawed his arms back around her neck.

Well, bless my heart. I was going to talk about the old nature or nurture argument and make this a Grammie Rant, but I changed my mind. The difference in the two boys was so strikingly apparent, it was a child psychology teacher’s dream scenario. Or nightmare. I’m not sure.

But there is a deeper question here. What made one child so confident that he was able to strike out on his own and even interact with a total stranger? What made the other so determinedly obstinate and reluctant?

I do not know. I didn’t know either mother or child, so I will not judge.

But here is one suggestion that could be behind the behaviors – the concept of trust.

Preaching Alert

Old Eve, bless her heart, put a curse on all of humanity by not trusting God’s Word. Shoot! God talked to Adam and Eve every day, and I’m sure it was out loud! Why the doubting? That snake must have been one smooth talker!

Abraham is not my favorite guy as I’ve said before. Angels of God had told him that Sarah would bear his son. Because he was impatient and didn’t trust God’s promise, he birthed a line of people that have been at odds with Sarah’s descendants ever since.

Enough of the stupid disobedience and doubt already!

Now old Joshua, there was a man who recognized God and His leadership. God told him to fight in some pretty crazy ways! Seriously – Walking around a city in silence until the last moment then yell? That took some strong faith, but he trusted and obeyed.

The other guy I really respect in the New Testament had Jesus admiring his faith as well. In Matthew 8, the guy isn’t even named, but when he asked Jesus to heal his servant, Jesus offered to go to the ailing person. The centurion had so much faith in Jesus’ power and authority, he told Jesus, “Just say the word and my servant will be healed.” And he was.

There is something to be said about the childlike faith of the first little guy in the pool. He was free to roam, safely within his mama’s care. But there is something really wonderful about trusting in my adult life, especially when the One I am trusting is the ultimate caregiver and life coach.

Psalm 139 shows the confidence in God’s care and the reason for the psalmist’s trust. “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am. … You both precede and follow me and place Your hand of blessing on my head. This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to Your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me, Your strength will support me.”TLB

That my friends, is how I want to trust!

Blessings

KB