(Once again for some reason Karen's Korner didn't go out yesterday. Seems like Mondays are a problem. So here goes Monday's, today.)

"If you believe that Jesus is the Christ--

that He is God's Son and your Savior---

then you are a child of God."

~ I John 5:1 LAB

*

I spent some time this past weekend with our daughter Jamie and her youngest son, Noah, in northeast Iowa. We enjoyed the river and some of the sights and sounds of the area.

At ten years old, one of Noah's favorite things to do was swimming in the motel pools both nights. On Saturday night, I watched him and several other families enjoying some pool time together.

Repeatedly, I watched probably a two-year-old attempting to jump into the pool and into her dad's outstretched arms. What would win out? The fear of the unknown and the water? Or the encouraging words of her father?

She would wait and try. She didn't want to jump too far. Would she get hurt? Was he there to catch her? Then she would jump and he would compliment and encourage her. Out of the pool she would come. Run around the side. And try again.

I couldn't help but think of us. Do we do the same thing? We are afraid of something in our lives. Or in our future. God waits with outstretched arms. With His Love. Encouraging us to trust Him. Catch us. He would never let anything happen to us without His care and concern. All He wants us to do is jump....

Dear Father in Heaven, help us, help me to remember and know how much You love and care for us. Help each of us to never be afraid. Help us to jump into Your arms. You have caught us before and You will catch us again. In the Name of Your Son Jesus and Your overwhelming Love. Amen.