My niece and her husband enrolled their children for swimming lessons for the first time. When in a motel pool or in the lake on camping trips, Owen (nearly five), loved the water (of course, he had water-wings and mom and dad). The first time for swimming lessons, he literally wrapped his arms around his big sister Abby (almost seven). The second time, he refused to go into the pool.
His solution: he prayed. His sincere, trust-filled prayer was, “God, help me to not be afraid of the water. And…please, help me not to sink.”
I was touched, struck by so many things about Owen’s response to the reality of his everyday life. There was no hesitation, no long pondering, figuring out of what to do. He knew what he needed to do: ask God’s help. This was bigger than him and God would help him. Such dependence!
Owen also knew that nothing was unimportant to God; there’s not a dividing line between the sacred and the “secular.” Everything is holy; everything belongs to our life, our faith life. Everything is one.
I love Owen’s prayer. It’s ours – for many occasions. How many times can we each pray, “Loving God, help me to not be fearful of ____. And please, help me not to sink.”
When was the last time you thought of going immediately to God?
Do you ever putting a dividing line between parts of your life? Are some things “holier” than others?
Would Owen’s prayer be helpful to you sometime?
In all things with prayer and supplication, let your request be made known unto God!!!