"Please Bear with Me"

Dear Child,
 

As I get older, please be patient with me. 

When I drop things or make a mess of my food, I hope you don’t shout at me or scold me. Please bear with me. 

When my eyesight dims and I stumble along my way, or when my hearing gets really bad and I can’t hear what you say, please bear with me. 

When these embarrassing and difficult times come, if you could just hold my hand and tell me that you understand… I’m sorry child, I’m getting older. Please bear with me. 

When my feet get crooked and my knees get weaker, when I fumble in my steps and I walk slower, I hope you remember the time when I taught you how to walk. Please bear with me. 

When I keep repeating my stories to you, sometimes four or five times a day, just smile and pretend I said it the first time. Because to my failing memory, it’s really the first time I’m saying it to you. Just remember how you repeated yourself as a child. Remember how many times you asked, “Are we there yet?” every time we took a trip. Or how many times you asked, “Mommy, can you buy me this toy?” whenever we were in a toy store? Please bear with me. 

When I don’t smell so nice, when I smell like an old person, please be patient with me. When you smell something not too good from me, I hope you remember that when you were small, you used to sweat and smell too. But I loved it because it was part of your growing up. Well, my smells are part of my growing old. Please bear with me. 

When I get cranky or get sensitive, or when I get sentimental and moody, or when I get pushy and demanding, all these are all part of getting old. You’ll understand when you get older. Please bear with me. 

When you have time, I hope you visit me. Talk with me for a few minutes. I’m always all by myself and have no one to talk to. I know you’re busy with work but your work will always be with you, even after I’m gone. I won’t be here forever. Please bear with me. 

Even if you’re not interested in my stories, please pretend you are. Do you remember when I used to listen to your stories about your toys, your imaginary friends, and the cartoons you watched? Those things weren’t very interesting to me, but because they were important to you, they were important to me too. I ask you to please bear with me. 

When the time comes when I get sick and bedridden, I hope you visit me. I’m sorry if I accidentally wet the bed or make a mess. I hope you stay with me during the last few moments of my life. I’m not going to last much longer anyway. Please bear with me. 

I pray for you every day. When I finally meet God, I will continue to mention your name to Him. 

I love you. 
We love you. 
Please bear with me. 

Eternally, 
Mom and Dad 

Source: shepherdsvoice.com

Keep Walking ~

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 

“It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 

But Jesus immediately said to them:

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 

“Come,” he said. 

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 

“You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 

- Matthew 14:25-31

'Little' faith means immature faith. Faith, to be mature, must be tempered with courage, also known as fortitude. Courage only is manifested in the face of danger. If there is no danger, no threat, no trial, then there is no possibility of courage. Mature faith means believing more in what you can’t see than in the terrifying things you can see. It means keeping the eyes of your heart fixed on the master of the wind and waves even as you feel the spray in your face. 

The most frequently repeated phrase in the gospels is 'Do not be afraid!' The Lord is not speaking to our emotions here, since you can't command emotions. He is speaking to our will. We must make a conscious decision not to allow fear to paralyze us. Peter sank because he stopped walking. 

Faith means to keep walking even when your knees are knocking. [x]

Like Peter, I asked the Lord to "call" me. I am a little faith with a big ambition to walk on the water as what Jesus did. With that faith, I believe that He brought me to where I am for the fulfillment of His will.

Now, I am here.

... and it's been a year.

I took my foot from the boat, believing that I can walk on the water towards Jesus. As I continue to walk, waves get stronger. A lot of frustrations and provoking situations - anger, disappointments, anxiety, pride - that almost let me want to get drowned. But all was defeated and enveloped by His love.

Like Peter, I want to walk towards God.
Like Peter, not everyone will walk with me.
Like Peter, my body will defeat my spirit.
Like Peter, I will sink.

And like Peter, God will rescue me.

Continuing to pray for the gift of faith, everyday.
Let's keep walking~ (even with wobbling knees) ☺♥