Splat! Lessons in Walking (by Thom)

Splat! That’s the sound we’re hearing around the McMurray household a lot these days. It’s a joyous noise, contrary to what you might think. We keep hearing that sound after Miriam takes a few steps and loses her balance. Miri is learning to walk which, of course, comes with many spills, splats, and stumbles. Last night, Amanda and I were sitting on the floor about 3 feet apart and letting Miri walk back and forth between us. Most of the time she’d get most of the way and then lose her balance, falling to the floor. Honestly, I expected her to get tired of falling down. Sad to say, but if I failed over and over like she did I’d postpone the task or give up entirely. Still, she was excited. After many, many tries she finally made it from one point to the other still upright! Watching the girls learn to walk is definitely a joy. At the same time as I watch the girls try and learn to walk I am also aware that they are watching me walk. Amanda and I are examples for our girls.
We’re also examples to other people. Living here in Africa it’s always obvious that we stand out. As I ride my bike to and from the office kids will point at me and yell “tu babu” (white person). People know that we’re Christian and they’re looking to see what we do and how we react. Now, obviously we stand out more in Africa than we would in the US, but watching my girls watch us is a good reminder that no matter where we are, other people are watching us (Christians) to see what we do. How are we walking today? Are we display love, joy and peace to others or are we clumsily charging forward?

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 - For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; that you may walk properly…