Knowing Our Limits
We love to push our limits. When the speed limit is 45, we want to drive 50. When the speed limit is 65, we want to drive 75. When we are told "no," we want to hear "yes."
My son tested his physical limits this week. He went, for the first time, to camp this year. Sunday, we kissed him good-bye. Mom (as all moms do) worried about the well-being of her baby.
My son has the misfortune of having asthma. He was so excited about going to camp. With wide-eyed enthusiasm, he hopped into the van and did not look back. The weather around the camp was hot and humid. The cabins were dusty. Then you have all the stuff that floats around in the air. With no air conditioning, our son pushed his limits. Whenever he is having trouble, he does that. He does not want to slow down and rest. He pushes on.
He pushed all the way to the hospital ER. We got the call at 6:00 PM last night. We hopped in the Neon and pushed the pedal to floor (pushing that old speed limit). We made a 3.5-hour trip in a little under 3 hours. He was stable, and we left about 10:45 and pulled into the driveway at 1:20 in the morning.
He needs to learn his limits. He needs to know when he is beginning to feel bad, so he can back-off, get better, and then join in.
That is like us sometimes. We try to push the limits. It is the speed limit sometimes. When I hit the buffet line, I like to push the limit of how much I can cram into my gut. We try to push it with God sometimes. How close can I live to sin? How much "fun" can I have and still be "close" to God?
Instead of pushing the limits, we should run as close to God as possible.
1 comment:
Man do I feel you pain. Our daughter hurt her back and was being loaded onto a back board wearing a cervical collar and stuffed in an ambulance when we were called. It was only 90 minutes, but it was an anxious 90 min. My wife is a nurse and she was quizzing the EMT like crazy on the phone.
You are right that he needs to know his limits. But don't let him be limited, if that makes any sense. We grow by stretching. He needs to be prudent, but he can't shrink from the task.
Watch "The Secret Garden" to get an idea of what I am prattling on about.
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