BE THE FIRST ONE IN

Where I live in Northern California the summers are weeks to months on end of 100+ F and swimming is our daily relief! We joke that in our city you choose your friends here based on whether they have a pool or not! One such summer afternoon we headed to swim in our friend’s pool and my 4 year old son Thomas was eager to get wet, so when we arrived he jumped right in. As I came close to where he was splashing, he called out to me - his voice imploring with excitement in his eyes and his arms out wide, “Mum, C’mon! Be the first one in!”

I was about to jump straight into his arms - which momentarily felt like a strange role reversal of what parents do when coaxing their water-shy children from the feeling of safety at the pool’s edge. But, not to be outdone by that thought I was struck by a new one. This thought was the realization that as I glanced around, there were already four other people happily lazing about in the water.

I was about to say something to Thomas in fun (along with a minor correction to his math skills) when I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit. “Take note! It doesn’t matter how many people are around, I only have eyes for you. To me, you are always going to be the ‘first one’. My arms are open and I’m ready to catch you. My face shows how I feel about you. I can’t wait for you to join me in the pool.”

And here is the paradox: We live on our planet with billions of people and yet, simultaneously, we are seen, known, enjoyed and meaningfully invited to jump into deeper connection with just one. One on one. The invitation of God my heavenly father into a living relationship. I’m grateful for these moments - lessons of God’s love through the eyes of a child.