Training Wheels

A week ago Nathan got his first bike as a birthday gift from a good friend of ours. It is a smaller / kid's version of a BMX-type bike with training wheels. Nathan was excited to have received such a pretty new toy, but at the same time he wasn't sure what to do with it.

At first, he sat on the bike, put his feet on the pedals, and hands on the handle bar. He then looked back and said "Daddy..." - as if to say, "well, aren't you going to push me?"

It was apparent that the notion of peddling and riding a bike was non-existent in his mind at this young age. He had no idea the kind of fun and freedom he can derive out of riding a bike.

So I tried to show him what to do with his feet to get the bike moving, and gave him gentle pushes to get him started. It was awkward and clunky. Pretty soon Nathan decided this bike thing was no fun and wanted to get off and go play with something else instead. My wife and I tried to tell him how much fun he would have riding the bike once he learned, but he didn't want to hear it. He didn't see how this clunky-awkward-doesn't-move-by-itself bike thing would bring any fun and enjoyment to him.

I thought to myself, "boy, if he only knew what he could do once he learned to ride this bike.... he would have so much fun.... more fun than he imagined would be possible based on this initial clunky and awkward experience.... I wish he would trust us and work with us to learn to ride...."

Then it occurred to me that God probably feels that way about us whenver we keep Him from working inside us.

We are like children who fuss and refuse to leave the muddy sandbox in the playground when our parents are trying to take us to the white sand beach in Carmel.