Watching my son learn to swim in the lake reminds me so much of life. This world is full of serene views and gentle breezes, but it also has rough waters, high tides, and crazy waves.

Years ago, I started teaching him about water through fun in the bathtub and trips to the water park. During those moments, I was always there making sure everything stayed safe.

But I know someday I won’t always be there. So, I teach him how to swim.

In many ways, emotional regulation is teaching your child how to swim through life. The Bible teaches us over and over about self-control, anger, discipline, and wisdom. Those truths are so evident that even people who do not believe in God still recognize the importance of emotional regulation and teach their children these life lessons.

But, I want my son to know how to steady himself when life gets rough. When this worlds waves get higher than he can handle, and the waters deeper and darker than he can see. I want him knowing more than how to swim. 

I want him to have a life with a life vest. Weeks before we ever went to the lake, I introduced him to his life vest. At first, it was just a toy so he would become comfortable in it without fearing it.  He played with his life vest putting it on and off, pretend boating in the living room floor and body slamming into furniture. Before we ever stepped into the water, my son learned how to put the life vest on himself and fasten the straps.

Our life vest in this world…. is God. In the same way I gave my son his life vest to play. Our children need God in their play to personally put God on in their own lives before entering deeper waters.

Life vest doesn’t work just because we put them on correctly how many Christians wear their “life vest” at church or at home, but still end up face down once life sends rough waters?

When my little boy first got into the lake, he still had to learn how to balance while wearing the life vest. Otherwise, he could still end up face down in the water even though he was wearing it. Learning to truly lean back and trust that life vest is not easy at first. I was there to guide him. It takes practice it’s a lot like learning to lean on God. It feels scary at first. We have been given a guide too.  Many Christians face plant because the leaning part cannot be learned standing safely on dry ground. We moms often want to keep our kids where is safe rather than giving them the opportunity to be taught how to lean. 

Life Vest