I remember several years ago when my youngest cousin was obsessed with Bob the Builder. Of course, I was past my prime childrens cartoon watching phase, but as a babysitter and nanny, I was well aware of the cartoon series Bob the Builder and its famous “Yes We Can!” slogan. It reminded me of one of my favorite childrens books, The Little Engine That Could, in which a little train engine chugs up the hill telling himself, “I think I can! I think I can! I can! I can!” We were encouraged to imagine the possibilities. Even in Sunday School, we were taught “with God all things are possible”(Matthew 19:26). As much as we tell children to dream big dreams, somewhere along the way, we become disillusioned and begin to believe in our limitations rather than our abilities. Somewhere along the way, we are told, “No, you can’t” or “Let me. It’ll just be easier.” So we begin to think of ourselves narrowly as what we are allowed and practiced in doing. As a responsible adult, adventuring outside of our known talents and abilities is nearly unheard of and seen as risky; often a risk not worth taking. 
I never imagined that I’d be in Kenya being Bob the Builder, building a school. Yet here I am, miles away from home, putting hammer to nail and hand saw to timber. I’m sure many of you are laughing as you imagine how silly I must look trying to do this. Even in that very laughter is doubt and disbelief in my abilities in construction. I’m not exactly the kind of girl that is built or used to hard physical labor. I’ve never worked an honest day or even an hour on the farm like my teammate Brenda or on gas lines like Sam, so your laughter may rightfully be justified. Still, my Kenyan brothers, who were overseeing the construction, not only allowed but even encouraged me to try. With incredible patience and gentle correction, they taught me how. By no means am I saying that I have found my calling in construction, far from it. I’ve actually discovered that this is not my gifting or strength, literally. But I was incredibly humbled by their willingness to let me take a risk, learn something new, and realize my limited potential. It didn’t matter that I was inefficient or even worse, ineffective. What mattered was that I was trying, believing that I could drive that nail into the wood even if it was crooked.
I don’t want to live any longer in fear of failure or doubt. I want to go back to a time when I believed anything is possible. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). I pray that God will give me vision and a childlike faith that believes that all things are truly possible with God. I hope I never loose my sense of wonder and imagination for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. I hope I choose to take chances and risk everything, believing that “God works all things for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Please pray with me for clarity as I seek my Kingdom dream, the vision and purpose the Lord has for me. Please pray also for faith to believe in the seemingly impossible.
