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 holds rough waters, high tides, and crashing waves.

When he was a baby, I first introduced him to 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 will not always be there, so I teach him how to swim.

More than that, I want my son to know how to steady himself when life gets rough. When the waves of this world rise higher than he can handle, and the waters become deeper and darker than he can see, I want him to know more than how to swim. I want him to have a life vest.

Weeks before we ever went to the lake, I introduced him to his life vest. At first, it was simply a toy so he could become comfortable with it instead of fearing it. He played with it constantly—putting it on and taking it off, pretending to boat across the living room floor, and body-slamming into furniture. Before we ever stepped into the water, he already knew how to put the vest on himself and fasten every strap.

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

Our life vest in this world is God. In the same way I gave my son his life vest to play with before entering deep water, our children need opportunities to know God personally before they face life’s deeper waters. They need to practice “putting Him on” in everyday life before the storms come.

But a life vest only works if you learn how to trust it. How many Christians wear their “life vest” at church or at home, yet still end up face down when life becomes rough? When my little boy first got into the lake, he still had to learn how to balance while wearing the vest. Otherwise, even with it on, he could still end up face down in the water.

Learning to truly lean back and trust the life vest was not easy at first. I was there to guide him through it, and it took practice. Leaning on God is much the same way. It feels scary at first. But we have been given a Guide too.

Many Christians struggle because the “leaning” part cannot be learned while standing safely on dry ground. As moms, we often want to keep our children where everything feels safe, but sometimes they need the opportunity to learn how to lean.

Life Vest