Last week a friend of ours had a dream about Ryder. In the dream he was just as he is now. A seven month old baby. Not quite crawling, not pulling himself up yet. And yet, as this friend saw him in the dream he began to get up. He was standing and then he was running - just as he is now, a baby. He went from crawling to running.
When she shared this dream with me my first thought was in the physical realm, "Oh, no! I'm not ready for that. He's supposed to be the laid-back one!" Later, as Hans and I were praying for Ryder after his bout with the flu and even more nights with very little sleep, this dream took on a new meaning. I began to see Ryder's spirit go from crawling along to running, to pursuing his destiny. I began to see our lives going from this fog of sleeplessness and busyness to running along and going after those things God has in store for us. All of a sudden I saw God's heart for us. And it wasn't for us to remain as crawlers, just getting by. It was to rise up, even when it seemed impossible and unlikely, and to run.
As this relates to Ryder, I had to laugh at myself a little. We named this little guy Ryder Elisha. We felt that was the name we were supposed to give him. He's a "Warrior" "Prophet". And then we expected him to come into this world and into our little family and to be at rest and to ease right in to this nice little space we had for him. I wonder how much God has chuckled at us over the past few months. I still believe God has good sleep and health and peace in store for Ryder. We are beginning to see that. But the boy isn't going to fit into a box. He has a purpose. He has a destiny, and I don't think it has much to do with being a restful little guy that lies around and doesn't cause any disturbances!
I believe Ryder's birth and the months since then have signified a change of pace for Hans and I as well. God is beginning to take us into a new season. See often I want the things of God, but I want to be at rest. I want them to come in and fit into the nice little spot I have created for them. I want it to all look nice and sweet. But see, the problem is that I don't think the call God has for Hans and me has much to do with sitting around and not causing any disturbances either. God has good things in store, but it doesn't come in the neat little package I expect sometimes.
I am determined, that as we seek God, we will go from crawling to running. We don't have to linger in this phase anymore where we can make it, we can get around, but it's just not that productive. God has more in store for our family and He has more in store for you. Crawling is an important step. This season has been one of growth. It has been needed, just as crawling is an important milestone for a baby. But it's not a season to dwell in. I want more for Ryder than for him to crawl the rest of his life. God wants more for me too. I am called to be a runner. I guess I'll have to leave a few boxes behind.
Crawling is good and even necessary for a season,
but there is so much more joy and freedom that comes when we run
