Baby Steps

We are all busy with baby steps.

My sister is learning to let her kids grow up; her first born baby is all the way in Korea teaching children to take confident steps in learning English, her second son is taking steps toward a confident future in his heavy military boots, and her third son recently took winged steps toward independence when he flew by himself on a commercial flight. She would be the first to tell you that it isn't easy, but that God gives her heart peace. After all, she continually places her kids into His care for His guidance.

My own 2-year old son, my first born baby, has begun his baby steps on the path of seeking knowledge. Preschool may not seem like a big deal to many, but to him it is a whole new exciting world! Learning social behaviors and rules as well as playtime guidelines in a way that is thrilling...taking steps to become a better student. I miss him every moment he is gone, but I know that these little steps are leading him down a path toward great things.

And then last night, my sweet 9 month old baby girl made up her mind to walk. Standing up in the middle of the floor, without holding on to anything, she smiled a large 6-tooth grin and carefully balancing, tentatively lifted her fat little left foot....moved it forward...and placed it down. Still smiling, she followed that with her fat little right foot...and took 5 baby steps. 5 small steps away from infancy and 5 giant leaps toward Life. I cheered her on, clapping with my hands but crying softly in my heart. Yesterday she was waving those chubby little toes from a white ruffled bassinet and tonight, those chubby little toes are firmly planted on the ground, leading her toward independence.

It is with a desperate heart that I once again, along with my sister, mentally place those tiny feet in His hands. The brown feet of my son and the delicate white feet of my daughter, carefully and continually given to their Creator. And what better place for them to be, for I rest knowing that He does guide them, and He does order those baby steps. Their paths are ordered by Him, and He sees every baby step they take.