A time to Learn from Monkey rings...

After a quick trip to the bank, and swift run into the grocery store for an after school snack, we spent some time at the park yesterday.

I watched my youngest beauty build calluses on her hands as she swung across the red monkey rings.

She takes little leaps of faith, grasping for the next swinging ring in front of her.

"Watch me, Mom. Don't stop watching, okay?"

As I sit on the park bench with my hat holding down my hair from the forceful wind, I keep my eyes steady on her. She is strong and brave. Determined. "You bet, Baby. I'm watching you."

Grabbing the first ring, she hoists herself to grasp the second. She rocks back and forth, building up courage to reach for the third. Rotating swing for the forth. Her fingers touch but do not clinch.

She falls short. Misses the mark. Drops to her knees in the sand below.

"It's okay, Mom. Keep watching. I'm going to keep trying until I get it." She lifts herself up and begins again.

Such perseverance. Such faith.

Am I not the parent, suppose to teach my child?

Yet, she teaches me. Daily.

This picture rings true.

I stand before the obstacle God is allowing me to endure. I gather courage to swing forth. Grabbing onto love. Extending towards hope. Rotating to truth. I pause, to draw in strength.

I fall short.

Miss the mark.

Fall to my knees. Not in sand. In prayer.

"It's okay, LORD. Keep watching over me. We'll get through this, I'll keep going."

I dust myself off.

Reach for the grace. Continue in faith.