Falling Flat (Lisa)

Maybe falling flat on your face is not the worst thing to happen after all.

Claire took her first step when she was three years old. It was Halloween night and we were busily getting costumes together and grabbing a quick meal in the kitchen. She was there, in the thick of it, gripping the side of her pack and play, but wanting to get to the other side and then it happened.

She let go and took one step. She did this, even though her arms could not come down and her hands would not find ground to break her fall. Claire took one brave step and fell flat on her face and we all cheered, YOU DID IT CLAIRE! YOU DID IT!!

I recalled this moment as I watched a young woman taking a brave step of her own. She was telling a truth at a hearing on live tv and her words were hard to hear. I watched her for days, taking deep breaths, doing her part to right a wrong. I imagined her arms raised up, frozen in a silent prayer of petition, asking God for the courage to do so. If she fell, she too would not be able to break her fall.

This woman knew the great risk she was taking. She could end up seriously hurting her relationships, her career, possibly even her physical safety, and yet, she was compelled to do it. I am sure she was asked to testify but what the tv did not show was that first pack n play moment when she too, let go of the side and said, Yes. I will do it, I will try. It must have been hard. What is behind this courageous compulsion to do hard things? How does anyone take that step?

I thought back to that Halloween night, how we cheered our daughter, even though she got hurt. That may sound strange but she was three and we wondered if she’d ever take that first big step. We wanted her to have all the benefits that follow trying. We were so excited for our darling girl. In that moment, a little bruised, Claire had looked up at us through puzzled eyes but then flashed a beautiful smile. She must have felt our tremendous love knowing we were proud of her attempts, the tries, even when she fell flat.

I think of Jesus being proud of us like that, proud of our efforts, in the face of all the great odds in life. It makes me think differently about falling flat on my face, to know He is cheering me on. On my best days, He is the courageous compulsion in me. He makes me want to please Him, give it a go, try my best, take that difficult step and make Him proud.

Maybe falling flat on your face is not the worst place to be after all. Brave people seem to think so. They take that chance, of crashing to the floor and looking up with a puzzled smile, hear the thunderous heavenly cheers, YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT!