A month before leaving for the race I watched as a brand new baby was welcomed into my community. As she was passed into another warm embrace, the lady spoke about the miracle it was to hold something that just left the Fathers hands.
Her words hit me with such curiosity and wonder. I pondered the profound statement and stirred with its truth. Was it true that children enter the world just leaving Heaven?
Then, after being around children this month, I began to see certain intriguing characteristics. I noticed how children carry such a radiance and beauty to them with their soft skin and through the twinkle in their eyes. I saw how they explored with such courage and bravery, and I watched as they effortlessly embody wonder, love, kindness, and confidence. It left me concluding that perhaps Jesus really meant what He spoke in Matthew 18:3:
“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Children get it. They understand their need for help and live comfortably in dependence. They laugh, play, and always need rest. They fail and get hurt, but always shake it off. They learn with enthusiasm and joy as if it was a game. They desire to be played with and loved. And, they live with hope and optimism.
These thoughts have continued to churn in my head and spoke louder since Debrief in Banos, Ecuador. Debrief was a time when my whole squad got together with our squad mentor leading us in sessions. Also, our squad coaches spent time investing in us, and we had time to refresh and ask the Lord what He had for us. During the week the
Lord asked me to let go of some lies of unworthiness and the need to be perfect. Then, He gave me a vision of my young self, and called me back to my childlike self.
He challenged me to stand and declare that who I am is enough. That I no longer need to perform, but instead, freely dance knowing I am loved, and that I am crafted by Him.
See, the Father’s love is so special. It really does bind all things (Colossians 3:14) and establish such peace.
The Lord was asking me to come back to His love. The love I left when I took my first breath on Earth. The love that has always been with me.
The love that devoted His heart to me, and the Love that changed my life.
See, as a young girl I can remember what I was like.
I was sweet, full of compassion, and captivated by beauty. I loved wholeheartedly and played wildly. Creativity and creating enthralled me. I would dress myself, fix my hair, paint, draw, sing, dance, and created new games. I talked a lot and sang even louder. I desired adventure and love and stood passionately on what was right.
Life made me radiant and beauty had me in rich wonder.
However, the world started to invade my space. Cruel words and people began to pierce my young, naive heart. Lies began to stick and pain encaged me.
I lost the carefree girl within me, forgetting where and who she was…
I applied for the Race trapped in captivity. At training camp, God truly set me free. The past two months He has been teaching me what it means to be His daughter. I now know that young girl is no longer caged. I see her dancing in the field, laughing, singing, and playing with the Father. Flowers surround her and sunshine warms every piece of her heart.
She is breathing life again. She is free and is now learning who she is and about the man that loves her.
God has restored me back to what He made me to be: His child. He is calling me sit with Him and learn. He is taking my hand and leading me to new adventures. He earnestly desires to know me more and to share all of who He is.
He loves me and I am beginning to believe it!
“You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage, with one glance of your eyes.”
Song of Solomon 4:9
Come be a Child in the Field
Come dance and sing
Laugh and dream
Spin and Leap
No more with the world
And its toxic lies
Away! They leave
Setting my Child free
For you are mine and
I am yours
Come!
Come dance and sing
Laugh and dream
Spin and leap
Stay here with me and please never leave
