It was unbearably hot today, which warranted a swimming trip to beat the heat. I learned today that it's not a good idea to try to carry Levi into the water to cool off. Just so you know, he will scream as if he is dying, stand frozen in the water, terrified by its movement, and scream even more if you realize your mistake and try to move towards him to help him out of the water... while the other swimmers stare at you like you are the worst mother in the world. Sigh!
Levi adores water, just not getting into it. He compulsively washes our dishes and loves to wash his hands. He has no problem with baths whatsoever either. It is such a mystery to me why he will not get in the water for swimming. At first I thought it was the whole getting in the water with your clothes on thing. I reasoned that it may be confusing to him since we do not bathe in our clothing. I also thought that perhaps he does not like the feel of wet clothing. On scorching days like today, I really wish he'd join us in the water for some relief. And that's why I tried to help him...
I have learned that Levi must move according to his own timetable. Most often it seems that he takes a very long time to adjust to the idea of something. Realizing the gravity of my mistake in rushing him with the swimming, I had to take things even slower. He allowed me to "wash" his face with my hands that had been dipped in the lake. Then he allowed me to "wash" the top of his head, neck, under his arms, etc. Each time I used a bit more water until finally I was cupping water over his back and over his head. I was telling him how it was just like a bath. I was so pleased to know that we had figured out a way to help cool him off with the water.
We really made headway when I decided to give him a cup. All I had to do was tell him from time to time to dump some on his head or neck or wherever. He was very good about going along with that. And he seemed so much happier to finally be enjoying the water with us. He was able to progress to the place where he put water on himself wherever and whenever he wanted, not even minding the wet shorts for the first time ever. Beautiful progress.
Lord, thanks for teaching me even more today. Forgive me for trying to rush Your timing for Levi. Help me to wait on You, trusting You for our outcomes. Please bless this learning process more than I could ever imagine. I place my sweet Levi in Your loving and capable hands. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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