Baby Steps

I remember each of my babies first steps and the smiles that lit up their faces. This painting I put on the title made me think of that joy we all shared in the moment . (I must find the artist so I can add their name in here.)

Baby steps make everyone happy. There is also that tiny bit of worry as we watch, will the darling topple over and crack their head on the couch or woodstove? Will they make it to the bench by the table? How far will they go? Adults are always looking after those baby steps. It helps if you add in some playfulness and don't take it too seriously. If you laugh when they plop down on their little round padded seat, if you coax them back up with laughter and not with worry.

I like to think God loves my baby steps and claps when I accomplish a walk. He's teaching me love, playfulness and resilience. I've been reading how those aspects are important in relationships. Gratitude and mercy are included in that.

Baby steps of gratitude toward God. Noticing the little miracles that are just the small letters of a Much Bigger Story.

Baby steps of mercy. Laughing when someone laughs and hugging when they hurt. Letting them have a space to be who they are, letting them walk on their own toward what they desire and being there when they fall. Supporting and loving.

Oh I'm praying for mercy and gratitude. "Lord, help me be grateful," doesn't get me in as thankful a mood as actually praying my praise and worship. "Lord, thank You for the pastel Grace of the sunrise that colours our day. Thank You that I have this day to clean and set my house in order in service for The Beloved People You and I share. Thank You that we have an opportunity to skate in freedom of nature on the river bottoms. Thank You for a man who reminds me to seek meekness and Your Righteousness each day. Thanks for Your Plan of salvation and the Family we share it with."

Perhaps I don't need to ask for help to be merciful, I just need to BE merciful. The action of mercy is just like gratitude. In the moment I can choose to extend mercy towards the irritant in my life. It helps if I seek to understand, give confidence that they had or have a reason. Listen without judgement. Walk gently and speak gently because I don't know what burdens people are carrying. When I keep a clear vision of the mercy that has been extended toward all my blunders, then it is simple to offer mercy to others.

Baby steps of playfulness with my children, taking time to laugh at myself with them. We human beings are the weirdest of all creation. Adults need to cultivate playfulness in relationships because if we're too serious, the problems will overwhelm. Imagination, silliness, chatter, social ability, impulsive actions and playful wonder are important for me when things get too serious.

I know what each of my children need to get them to lighten up when they get sad. One sometimes needs space and time alone to heal so I tell her to go off and pray or do chores. We always talk it all through to clear it up and together we get humour back. One just needs some teasing and some witty comebacks and the drama is forgotten in laughter. One needs to cry and vent and be hugged and then slowly teased back into laughter. Our tendency at times is to push away the drama of emotions but it doesn't fix the problem. The problem usually has to be talked out. Charlotte Bronte says, "Crying doesn't mean you are weak, since birth, crying has been an indication of life." I remind myself of that when I think I don't have time to meddle in the drama. It's actually important to hear it out. Our youngest, he just needs action in play and then talk it over as we play. Time spent skating or building Lego or making homemade food together. I want to seek out the adults in my life who I feel I have broken connection with to figure out what they need to get playfulness back.

Today as I straighten and clean, baby steps in my house toward order, I pray I am also taking baby steps in my heart toward resilience, love, playfulness, gratitude and mercy. After I take some baby steps cleaning I plan to play on the river bottoms with some friends and my children. Instead of baby steps, we shall fly in freedom. I feel like that's a great goal to work toward.