Gabriel, Patience, Hope and A Skateboard

My son is getting a skateboard today. We ordered it online last week. Gabe has a Tony Hawk video game for the XBOX 360, and I think he's been inspired by it to start skating. And people say video games keep kids inside!

Its been quite fun to watch Gabe wait for his skateboard to come via UPS. I think he understands the concept somewhat, but it was amusing to hear him ask every day for the last week if his skateboard had arrived yet. It a good lesson in patience for him to have to wait a bit to get something he wants. Sometimes waiting is a good thing.

Gabe has really high hopes for his ability to learn to skate. He keeps telling me that he wants to 'grind' his skateboard as soon as he gets it. For those of you that may not know, a grind is a very complex skate trick. Its when you ride your skate board, jump in onto a curb or rail, and slide it. Its quite difficult. I've got to tell you. I'm positive he wont do it in the first week. I just can't see it happening. Its too difficult.

But do you know what Gabe keeps saying- that he's going to grind that board in the first week. That he's going to Ollie and Kickflip and all these other tricks.

Do you know what I like about that though? He's being hopeful. He's believing in himself. He's seeing himself doing things before they happen and believing he'll be able to do them. Its great. I love him for it. I like people who have high hopes.

When is the last time you took on something that was new or was challenging, not knowing how you were going to accomplish it or what the outcome would be?

Jesus talked about how unless you change and become like little children, you will never see the kingdom of heaven. I'm sure he wasn't talking about skateboards.

But I think he may have been saying that sometimes children are different than adults in that they don't lose faith or have disbelief like adults even in the face of insurmountable odds. That sometimes we're our worst enemy when it comes to stepping out in faith, or doing something that we've never done.

You don't need to run out and buy a skateboard, but maybe you need to do kick your faith up a notch. Believe that God can do something with you and through you and believe that it will happen.

There is nothing wrong with high hopes and huge faith.

Be Blessed
matt