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| Noah is always ready to jump into action... |
We always teach our kids to make the wise choice, to trust God no matter what and to treat others the way they want to be treated. It's always a blessing to see them live that out.
Noah is now 10 and he's beginning to form into the man that he will eventually become. He's always been a kid with tremendous compassion for others (except occasionally for his siblings.) He's also always been a kid with a tremendous understanding of the power of faith. He doesn't typically hesitate or surrender easily.
Our latest overnight trip was just an example of the type of man Noah will be: A biblical action hero.
While on an overnight stay at Willow Valley in Lancaster, PA, Noah demonstrated a true heroism along the lines of David.
David, as every church person knows, was a young boy who was willing to confront the scary ugly Philistine giant Goliath. Goliath was slandering the people of Israel and their God. Instead of confronting him head-on, however, the Israelite king and his army stood in the shadow of this frightening giant shaking in terror.
Then little David stumbled in from the fields and immediately got to work. Without regard for the fear and trembling that the Israelites were clinging to, David instead chose to cling to God. He volunteered to go against Goliath--despite the overwhelming odds that were against him. David was a boy of action. He was used to fighting off ferocious beasts (when most of us run kicking and screaming from things like spiders and stink bugs) in defense of his flock. Here, he was willing to risk all in defense of his God.
David's motivation was from putting God and others before himself. His fearlessness was not delusion either. As he put it, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:47)
It was a truth universally understood by everyone. God fights for us. We need to just have the wee bit of courage to stand with Him.
In that same way, Noah went into action with not a care toward his own safety. In the deep end of the indoor water park located at Willow Valley, a young boy had gone down the gigantic blue slide into the water. It was clear that he was unable to swim and he began to sink below the surface of the water. Noah swam right over to him and held him above water. He was struggling as this portion of the pool was above his head too and the child wasn't much younger than him. He didn't give in. He didn't hesitate. He just saw another child in need and leapt into duty.
Shortly thereafter the life guard and the father of the child both jumped into the pool to take over for Noah, but it was clear that Noah had been the one to save the little guy.
As his parent, part of me is scared about Noah's apparent lack of concern for his own safety. That just comes with the territory of being a Daddy. A much bigger portion of me is so proud of Noah's selflessness and bravery in the face of danger.
Seeing that David-like bravery shine through Noah that day gives me a glimpse of the type of honorable man he is growing up to be. And that gives me a whole lot to be thankful for.
