June 23
Scripture: Matt 14:29
Source author: Virginia Colclasure
June 23
Get Up and Go So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. —Matthew 14:29
My brother-in-law and I watched his young son run down a sloped, gravel driveway. Suddenly the child tripped and landed on his knees and hands. In that shocked instant before the boy’s crying could begin, David called out, “That’s all right. Go ahead. Get up. You’ll be okay.” Puzzled, I told David, “That hurt.” He agreed and went right on loudly encouraging my nephew. Shortly, the youngster stood and walked back up the driveway. He was fine—only a little blood, and he wasn’t crying. My brother-in-law was right. His son did not need comforting love. He did need encouragement to get up and go on. I still use David’s example of problem-solving love with children and with adults. Since this event, I tend to give more encouragement than sympathy. I also remember the Lord’s words and actions when Peter tried to walk on water. Jesus caught him and kept him from falling into the water. Then he said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” In other words, “Go ahead. Get up. You’ll be okay.”
Love limited to sympathy interferes in the process of overcoming problems. — Virginia Colclasure —