I look at my children and somehow think that in the arena of faith, they need to "look like me." Yet, I am learning to trust that their faith is their own, and will maybe look nothing like mine.

The one who – years ago – first introduced this lesson of trust to me was a boy who simply refused to put on what did not belong to him.

You remember the story.

Young David had surprised everyone with his courage to fight a giant when the entire Israelite army (including King Saul) cowered in fear. For a full 40 days, the intimidating Goliath had taunted and ridiculed both them and their God.

Too young to be a soldier, David naively arrived on the battle scene with rations for his brothers and quickly grasped what was at stake. On the spot, he resolved to regain the honor of His God, fully believing that it was God who would give him the victory.

Even though he had had no training as a warrior and was not even close to the size of the giant, David’s unshakeable faith was based on the personal and transformative ways God had shown up for him, by giving him courage and strength to protect his sheep from ferocious predators.

It took some convincing, but Saul reluctantly agreed to let David take on the giant. Secretly wishing he had David’s kind of faith, he insisted that the boy be protected by Saul's own armor. (That way part of him would accompany David on the battlefield, he may have reasoned.)

So David tried on Saul’s armor and took a few steps. But the way-too-heavy adult-sized armor did not fit his small body at all, so he removed it. He was a shepherd boy, so he picked up five smooth stones from the stream and went out to face the hulking form of Goliath with his slingshot.

And he won.

Just as David, so long ago, said no to Saul’s armor, so my children have said no to my “armor of faith” because it doesn't fit them.

As I continue to grow in my role as Mom and Nai Nai, my desire is to come alongside my children (and now grandchildren included as well) as they choose their own stones of faith from the stream.

I want to trust with them that their God can equip them for their battles in ways that I would never imagine.

I'm glad that my armor doesn't fit them.

(1 Samuel 17)