Think back to a rainy childhood day… Rain came down so hard the day before that your plans for outside fun were washed away, but the next day dawned brightly. As you ran to the window and peeked through the blinds – Behold! The rain had left behind glorious puddles everywhere. Your eyes glanced over the driveway, sidewalk and finally rested on the street. You knew today was going to be a puddle jumping kind of day. With glee, you ran to get your rain boots and quickly pulled them on without a second thought. Dressed only in pajamas and hair wild from the night before, you ran out the front door to the nearest puddle. With the door askew and mom calling out your name, you set your eyes on that first puddle and jumped right in. Your only goal was to make the biggest splash possible. Pure abandon, joy, and freedom filled you with every splash and splatter of water as it covered you from head to toe. You are a puddle jumper!
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Life is a series of puddle maker vs. puddle jumper moments. Do we dare to jump boldly into the puddle of life or do we remain stuck in our own puddle of self-pity?
A puddle maker prefers the comfortable routines that characterize life. Stepping out into the uncertain, which is sure to cause waves, is a source of anxiety for puddle makers. Times of self-pity, fear, followed by tears, push back and an all around “I don’t want to” outline the traits of a puddle maker. Life is not a reach out and grab it proposition, but more of a let it happen to me. Words that describe puddle makers are passive, receiver, content with status quo and sometimes stuck.
There are times in my life that I have been a puddle maker sitting in self-pity rather than stepping up and out to do something about it. I can be a puddle maker one day and a puddle jumper the next.
A puddle jumper seizes life and seeks to live it to its fullest. Brave risks followed by a journey into the unknown characterize a puddle jumper. Active seeking of what possibilities are out there gives puddle jumpers the opportunities to make the biggest splash. Words that describe puddle jumpers are giver, seeker, brave and abandon. It is a time of going after life knowing that life does not always come to you.
If I am honest, I tend to hover in the puddle maker corner because going big or going home is not my life’s motto. BUT GOD…
God takes all of us, bold or fearful, and makes us into the best person we can be. He shows us that sometimes jumping is the best way to approach life. Other times, we need to step back and regroup, to allow His promises to wash over us one more time so moving forward can take place again. Both are needed and one is not better than another.
We can be the best possible version of ourselves when we trust in the promises of God. Believing God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, eases the anxiety that can overwhelm a puddle maker. Embracing God’s love and promise of grace when we jump too fast and without thinking, assures the puddle jumper that God’s got this. God’s word teaches us this about His promises…
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
A “Yes” in Christ is our guarantee that we are His. Persevering through the messiness with faith, affirms our inheritance of God’s promises.
Puddle makers – you are going to have to jump to fully live the life God has written for you. Puddle jumpers – remember that making the biggest splash is not always the answer. A pause in your pursuit will allow for the preparation needed to live your best life in God.
Whether you are a puddle maker or a puddle jumper, you have the chance to trust God’s promises for guidance, focus and perseverance.
How will you allow God teach you today as you strive to balance between the two?
In grace and peace,
Mary
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You’re so fun, Mary! If we were together I’d give you a big hug. I have to admit some days I’m a puddle maker and some days I’m a puddle jumper. Either way, I love that no matter where I need improvement, God is there to make a way. Like the scriptures you shared say, every promise of God is a yes in Christ! Amen! Blessings on your weekend, friend!
Well thank you June! I would love to puddle jump with you. God is in all the details and puddles of our lives. He fills in the gaps where we need Him most and that is the lesson I have learned from puddle making vs. puddle jumping.
Thank you for being here and sharing your own insights. Blessings on your weekend too!
Life is too sort to pass up a good puddle! I think that we can sometimes be afraid to jump in, but when we do, God never disappoints! Let’s pray for courage to live life with abandon, trusting that God is always by our side!
Blessings, Joan
I love how you say that when we do jump in a puddle, God never disappoints. It is a great perspective that I need to look at more closely when I would rather sit in my puddle of comfort and not venture out. I will be praying with you that God leads us with courage to live fully for Him with abandon and complete trust.
Weekend blessings, Joan!
Love this truth. I’m adding it to my Intentional Living notebook, the perseverance–my one word for 2016–section. Thank you!
I love the word perseverance and know God will do great things through this journey for you in 2016.
Adding this lovely post to my intentional living notebook, the perseverance–my one word for 2016–section. Thank you!
Thank you!
Mary I love your puddle comparisons. How cute! I so agree with what you said, especially like that part about “We can be the best possible version of ourselves when we trust in the promises of God. ” I am finding that to be so true the more I stay in His Word and fall more and more in love with Him and His promises.
Mary,
I admit, sometimes I love my rut…my comfort puddle too much to step out of it. I realize I miss out on a lot when I do this. I am always praying that God would make me brave to jump into the life He wants for me with abandon because I’m jumping holding His hand. Thanks for an encouraging and thought provoking post. Let’s jump together!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
We are stronger together! Jumping into those puddles holding God’s hand is very reassuring to me. It seems more manageable that way. We are very much alike, Bev, when it comes to staying in our comfort zone. Let’s pray together that we allow God to call the shots and lead us bravely into the unknown when He needs us to venture there. Love and hugs friend!
Mary, I enjoyed the picture you painted of children jumping into puddles without concern for how they looked or the mess they made. I want to be more like that. But I tend to calculate the potential fallout and step back. Thanks for the encouragement to live boldly.
I am a planner and want to explore all scenarios before I jump in so I understand how you feel. I pray we both feel the urge from God to jump into more puddles as He calls us to step out bravely for Him.
I am blessed that you stopped by here and shared your sweet encouragement. Blessings!
I love this analogy and find your insights to be so deep and profound in this post, Mary. I think that I’m often the puddle-maker rather than jumper. And if I jump, I often make a mess of things when I do. Learning to trust God with every move I make is part of what I’m trying to learn these days, so your post hits home for me. Thanks for giving us something very meaty to chew on today, my friend!
Trusting in God should be so easy and yet it is a lesson I am learning everyday. I relate to you saying you are often a puddle maker. I wish I didn’t find myself there so often, but as I learn to let go and let God, He will find many puddle jumping opportunities. I imagine he would do the same for all of us.
I pray as you reflected on these words, God provided more insights for you. Love having you share your thoughts here, I look forward to it every week.
YES! There are days that I can be a puddle jumper and then the next day be a puddle maker. I want to be more of a puddle jumper though. Kids, jumping in puddles, are full of such joy and abandon that I want to be like them and embrace the puddles too. So much THIS: “Puddle makers – you are going to have to jump to fully live the life God has written for you. Puddle jumpers – remember that making the biggest splash is not always the answer. A pause in your pursuit will allow for the preparation needed to live your best life in God. Whether you are a puddle maker or a puddle jumper, you have the chance to trust God’s promises for guidance, focus and perseverance.”
Thank you sweet, Tara! I love the pure joy and freedom children feel as they approach life with no fear. I don’t want to lose that feeling, but tend to fall into the practicalities of life instead.
I am so glad you stopped by and shared your own insights. I always love seeing you! Praying your eventful week has led to a more peaceful weekend!
Hi Mary! This is a very unique post, I don ‘t think I’ve ever read about puddle jumpers before…love it! As you know, fear can freeze me, so I wonder if it’s possible to be neither at times? I think that’s what fear does, it holds back.
I like how you said that neither is bad, they both have worth. We all do what we can with what we’re given, don’t you think? Some days are jumping days, some days not. I do think God wants us to be over-comers though. So hopefully the jumping will come more often than not!
Have a blessed Wednesday,
Ceil
I agree that fear can hold us back but I also think that you probably lean one way or another when it comes to puddle making and puddle jumping. I read your post on fear and understand the place from which you speak of.
I am glad that you agree that God wants us to be overcomers. It is only at His urging that I jump into the puddles of life. I am a stand on the edge kind of girl. So I am praying we both let God lead us and see where we end up each day. Who knows? Maybe we will be jumping into puddles together. Have a blessed weekend!
I’ve got a little puddle jumper or two in my entourage, Mary, so your words made me smile big inside.
I’ve got a few big puddles I’m wading through these days. But the smile still remains …
I would have loved to have seen you in your puddle jumping days!! The best part is that there is no age tied to when you should be a puddle maker or puddle jumper. It crosses all ages and all personalities.
I’m praying your current puddles are ones that God has brought before you as you transition into your what’s next. Love seeing you here today!! Warm hugs are coming your way!
Oh Mary, this challenged me in the best way possible! For way too long now I’ve wanted life smooth, no waves or puddles even to mess up my days. Life has been too stressful and problematic for years and everything within me cries out for rest and peace. I’ve been overly cautious and concerned, afraid to move forward in areas that scare me. However, I have read and received your words as a clarion call to finally become a puddle jumper, to embrace the new things God has in store for me this year with an open heart and mind. It’s going to take His grace and courage linked with my wobbly desires to see change for the better, but I am believing that it is possible. I will take steps to jump right into those puddles rather than side-stepping them. Because staying rooted to the spot means we may miss the joy of the moments God has planned for us. Watch out, friend, I’ve got my wellies on!
You never cease to amaze me! You speak with such hope and positivity even though you are faced with many challenges. I tend to be a very cautious person myself but God… He pulls us out of our routines and gives us reasons to jump that we never thought we could do before. He strengthens us and shows us the way.
Thank you for encouraging me, but also for sharing how God is working in you. I pray that you feel God’s strength as you step out and into the puddle. May He assure you that He’s got you in every step. Blessings and hugs, friend!
I love this, Mary! You were describing me in your first paragraph (a-hem…NOW and back in the day 😉 ). I, too am both, so I appreciate the encouragement and the words of caution. This all fits so nicely with my word ‘constrain’!
Now this is a unique way to make me rethink my pity parties. ha. I can be a very good puddle-maker at times. But I’d rather not be! Thanks for the reminder to be a puddle-jumper instead. I love that all things are “yes” in Christ!
The idea of a puddle maker is exactly what happens when we have a pity party. For me many times there are tears involved, hence the puddles!!! I don’t want to be an expert at either puddle making or puddle jumping. I want to trust God with every detail of my life and have Him determine which one I need to be at that moment.
Thank you for sharing here today. May we all believe that everything is a “yes” in Christ and He has all the details of our lives covered!
Oh Mary, what a great, encouraging post! I confess, I’ve been more of a puddle-maker than a puddle-jumper. This girl likes control (not gonna lie!). But, as I am growing deeper with God, I’m releasing my fingers and trusting everything to God. It’s not easy, but I’m loving the freedom to jump in and live with more abandon than I used to. 🙂
Sounds like we both like control. I am a stand on the fringe kind of girl who likes to see what is happening and if I feel comfortable enough after awhile I might join in. God has been calling me to just jump in more often and trust Him with the details. This happened with my upcoming mission trip to Nicaragua and other things I am involved in with my church. I am standing back as if watching it play out with me on the outside, but it is really happening. Very surreal!
It is not easy, but I am agreeing with you that the freedom that comes with letting go is amazing. Who would have thought that we are living this lesson as we get older and not just when we were children? Love having you here offering your insights! Have a blessed week, friend!
I think I teeter between the two but I long to fully be a jumper!
I can see you as both, but if I were to describe you, I would put you more on the puddle jumper side. I am a toe dipper and want to feel the water first before jumping in. It is only through God’s grace that I am learning to live the memory from childhood and jump in with both feet.
Thank you for joining me here today, Susan!!! Happy week to you!
Your picture of running out of the house and jumping smack-dab in the middle of that puddle really makes me smile, Mary. 🙂 Such a great analogy of puddle makers vs puddle jumpers and how necessary it is to strive for balance. I love those two words “But God.” So much possibility opens up in them. Thank you for encouraging me today!
Thank you Trudy! It has been many years since I tore out of the house to jump in a puddle, but oh the freedom that I felt and still do when thinking of that memory. The image of puddle makers and puddle jumpers provides such a clear picture as to how we approach life. The balance required between the two happens with many “But God” moments.
May we all feel and experience many puddle jumping moments as we let go and let God. I am always blessed when you stop by!
This is a good analogy, Mary, and you’re right, both are needed. I pray God will give wisdom to know when to jump and when to wait. Blessings to you!
God’s wisdom is absolute and now I need to trust that He knows best. As we all learn to live a life balanced between puddle making and puddle jumping, I pray God will guide us all so the journey is focused and we persevere in the right direction.
So glad to have you here today, Gayl!
Cute analogy, Mary. 🙂 Made me remember the time my friend and I, not only, jumped in a rain puddle, but she lived on a dirt road…so we spent the afternoon having a blast in a mud puddle. 🙂 Oh the carefree life of youth. ~ Great distinction between puddle makers and puddle jumpers. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Neighboring you this morning at Testimony Tuesday. ((blessings))
Glad to meet you neighbor. The carefree life of our youth is so easily forgotten as we get older, but there are some amazing lessons to be learned from childhood.
Thank you for being here and sharing your own puddle jumping story.
Your post made me smile this morning, Mary. I’m definitely more of a puddle maker, a cautious kind of person. “Go big or go home” is NOT my motto either! I do need to step out more and take more jumps! Thanks for this encouragement today. 🙂
Well I’m glad I’m in good company with you. God is teaching me how to take more risks and to jump just like I did as a child. It’s too bad we lose some of that pure abandon in life as we get older.
I am glad you were encouraged and blessed you joined me! Have a great week!