Faith like Peter

 This month I wrote my kids about faith and I used Peter as an example. I love the Bible story of Jesus walking on water and Peter taking a leap of faith to come out to him. Trusting in Christ when things look impossible takes bold faith. I think this is a good lesson for all kids to learn. As always feel free to copy and uses my letters to write your kids. Be inspired! 

Hello my dear friend! We have been praying for you and we are thankful God watching over you. Over the last few days I have been thinking on a story told in Matthew about Jesus walking on water and the disciple Peter. It is a good chapter on faith and trusting Christ.  

 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:25-33 

Trusting in Christ takes bold faith at times. When Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water to Jesus I imagine he may of been afraid. But he trusted Christ to do the impossible. With his eyes firmly on Christ he took a leap of faith and believed God would uphold him on the water. But like in our lives he took his eyes off of Christ and saw the reality around him. The wind and waves scared him and he began to sink. He must of been terrified and he cried out to Christ “Lord save me”. Christ did not get upset or angry he reached out and caught his hand and upheld him. When Christ asked him “why did you doubt/little faith he was not suggesting Peter did not have faith. He was asking why did you take you eyes off of me and focus on the world around you.  When you take a leap of faith like Peter  the devil is always looking for a way to make you doubt.  But when you do slip Christ will be there to uphold you and redirect you to him. I love that they worship Christ after they got back in the boat. They moved quickly from fearing the storm to worshipping Jesus. This was a normal reaction considering the power Jesus showed in walking on the water, and the love He showed in taking care of a sinking Peter. We want to encourage you to look to God and continue to follow His path wherever it may take you.