Come on, Baby--LEAN!!

I was giggling and terrified at the same time.

Vern and I were demonstrating a trust exercise to the 6th graders at Bible study last night. We had pushed against each others hands and walked our feet out further and further until all that was holding us up was the pressure we had on each other's hands.

"Come on, Baby--LEAN!!" my husband Vern said coaxingly. He apparently thought we could walk out a lot further than we already were.

Now you might think that I am an adventurous type of person. I love to camp and ride horses, and I am married to a Texas rodeo cowboy after all...but you would be wrong in thinking that about me.

Because I was fighting my body's panic as I stared at the short distance already between my nose and the floor. To disengage from leaning against Vern meant I would fall to the floor right on my face, which would really hurt. But I was not too excited about increasing the distance between our feet either as the probability of falling became increasingly apparent. This was an adventure I was not sure I should have signed up for.

I dragged my eyes off the ground and looked at Vern. Determination mixed with playfulness skidded across his face. So typical of my man. In his element now. Doing something off the charts with that ridiculous grin on his face that I can't resist. So keeping my eyes locked on his, together we took a few more steps out.

It was daring and extreme and I could hardly believe how far we had gone!

Then, keeping our eyes on each other and pressure on each others' hands, we started to close the distance and finally stood back up straight to a chorus of thunderous applause from the 6th graders.

Kids were eager to try it themselves and the discussion afterwards about who we put our trust in was filled with passion and excitement. Because in a topic like this, Jesus will always steal the show.

But if we are going to be transparent about it, I think I got more out of that lesson than the kiddos did. 

You see, Vern and I have had our struggles in this life that have left us worn out and fed up with ourselves and each other. One step away from face planting to the floor.

Some of you know exactly what I am talking about.

But in that moment when he coaxed me to lean on him harder and our eyes locked--it confirmed for me what I already knew. Vern is trustworthy. He is strong. He is encouraging. He can take it when I lean into him.

And when I focus on those traits of his, I find myself leaning hard into him and as a team we do some pretty darn incredible things.

So Ladies, tonight when the kiddos go to bed, put aside your fed up worn out self. Take your husband to the nearest large expanse of floor in your house. Put your palms together and start walking those feet out. Ask God to remind you of the strong qualities your spouse has so that you will lean harder into that man.

He can take it. But more than that. He will thrive on your trust in him because that is how he was designed by The Creator. 

Together you can do incredible things! So come on, Baby!  LEAN!!