A man was helping and encouraging his little toddler to walk. However, the toddler stood still and couldn’t or wouldn’t take his first step. His dad crouched from about 6 feet away waving to his little son to walk to him.
I am sure the little toddler wanted to walk but his feet wouldn’t get off the ground. His father continue to wave at him to come with a big smile… and finally, the toddler took a step but fell. The man quickly went over to comfort and praise him for that ONE step he took and again he moved away 6 feet. The toddler took another step but fell again.
Though toddler took a few more steps but he fell again and fell and fell.
When the toddler seemed to have enough of walking practice, the father took him in his arms and was about to head home when a man who was watching this the whole time came and said, “That was a kind of waste of time. If I counted right, I think he fell about 70 times.”
But the father smiled and said, “Really? I have not counted how many times my son fell but I counted that he walked 6 steps.”
I remember when my children started to walk. I don’t remember counting how many times they fell but I, too, counted many steps they’ve made. When we are in loving relationship, we count how many steps NOT how many times fall.
What about you? Are you the one who counts how many times others fall or the one who counts how many steps others take? I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Have a blessed week! ^_^