Hunter's Stand

Today I made "daddy" history and gave Hunter his first chance (with me) to stand. I placed him near the couch and  ottoman where the two pieces made a corner. His little hands reached out to grasp the Ottoman's top and I let go. He didn't fall people, that means he stood on his own power, if only for a moment.
He was unstable, naturally, so I did as any father should and gave a helping hand. I put my palm beneath his diapered butt and offered slight support as Hunter giggled and wobbled, his chubby knees quivering.

As I gave him the aid he needed to stand, an act he desires to do solo but can't, I was struck by the simularity between my life as a Christian and Hunter's attempt to become a baby who can stand. I desire holiness but can't attain it. I desire to be pure and righteous, but my best works and deeds are inadequite rags compared to the God's perfection. Yet, He enables me to strive, to find courage to stand after falling and faith. His Spirit gives all these things and goes one further, providing me a quickened heart, that beats out a rhythm, desiring God. Here the parallel breaks down as Hunter has a desire to stand all His own.

But, who designed Hunter to stand? I suppose the same individual who put the desire for the highest good in us each. Even as I write I'm struck by how even that has parallels to Hunter desiring to stand as for him, perhaps his percpetions are such that what he sees as the highest good today is to simply stand.

Thankfully, life doesn't have to be one long string of achievements waiting to be had, a never ending ladder who's purpose is as empty as the threat that it simply is. We are more than this, being fearfully and wonderfully made. I hope that I can help others see the unanswered longing deep down in thier bones has a satisfying answer. I hope I can offer it as one person in process to another, one imperfect, sinful human in desperate need to another.