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Writer's pictureRob

Keep getting back up

Updated: Jan 21, 2023

In my former career, I ran a business making early intervention equipment for disabled children. Equipment that assisted children with standing and walking development; where for different reasons, it cannot happen naturally.


In simplistic terms children generally learn to stand and walk by falling down. They do something called cruising; pulling themselves up into standing against a sofa or cot side, gaining feeling in their legs and feet, firing up synapses, building muscle, and increasing bone density as they go. They will plop to the ground when it all gets a bit much.


Bit by bit they learn to weight bear with more equal distribution through their feet. Each ascent gives them more confidence and in time independence.


Sometimes their confidence is a little too far ahead of their current ability, especially when challenged by an unfamiliar environment or if they are tired. Sometimes it's all too much and they need an adult's reassurance and a cuddle. Sometimes they are fiercely stubborn and determined to carry on. They need encouragement and perhaps a reward. There are sometimes bruises. Every rise and fall develops muscle. It develops kinaesthesia, the body’s sense of self in space. Every tumble is turned into an opportunity for developing strength and stamina. Each time you stand you stand a little longer or go a little further.


Some disabled children, however, cannot develop this way, not without the use of assistive technology. This is where standing frames come in. A structure comprising a tubular frame, composite materials, and fabrics - to hold the child in standing whilst helping them to maintain a good posture.


The child’s core strength is built up bit by bit - and as they cannot stand independently - the support of a frame means they can enjoy standing and take in more of their surroundings whilst they develop. With the assistance of a standing frame: a disabled child may either progress onto standing independently and ultimately walking with a walker or unaided. At the very least their respiratory, digestive, and circulatory functions will improve as will their immune system.

As beings and as believers - standing, moving, and resting are vital, but first things first; you have heard the phrase “don’t run before you can walk”. It should also say “you cannot do either before you have first learned to stand”. We have all suffered ‘abnormal’ development when it has come to learning to stand, inasmuch that we were born into a world that was flawed. It was not what God intended for us. We were meant for Eden and we are all broken. To differing degrees, we are those who never had a chance to fully ‘find our legs’ or sense our true strength.


“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. “ [Eph 6:13]

Just as a father or mother will not chastise an infant as they fall down. Our heavenly father does not, and will not chastise us. No guilt, no condemnation, and no impatience. Just the piercing eyes of love as he encourages us to get up and try again. No shame.


If we hear the words in our hearts saying “you should be much better than this by now”, or “haven’t you learned anything yet?” - Then this does not come from Father God but from another place. When we fall, we have two choices to follow one of two voices. The one says “get up my child”. The other is “stay down and hide, you won't get hurt that way”.


You may think you will be safe by staying down but your spiritual muscles will atrophy. We need to learn to get up. These voices are life and death to us. One is totally condemning (often mistaken for our own thoughts) and by contrast, the other voice is cheering us on. We are conditioned to believe and take the condemnation and, either ignore or totally miss the buoyant invitation of our biggest advocate willing us on.


There are many medical and anatomical terms for the parts and functionality of a standing frame, but ostensibly, each support whether on the child’s torso, hips or feet is guiding and supportive ‘hands’. Hands to hold the child steady, hands to help the child take the right posture, and hands to stop the child from collapsing under their own weight, that is until they start to feel their own strength.


Discipleship and redemption are the processes of assisting and leading the broken and the captives to the place where they discern the invitation of their Father in heaven, and know that the source is good and trustworthy. To lead the believer to the place where they respond to their Father's voice and get up and embrace life. And when we fall, to stand up again.... and again, and again, each time to find even greater strength and resilience. It all builds up muscle memory. Each time we fall it is easier to stand up again because we remember that we can.


Hear the fathers gentle voice breaking through the clammer. He says “Get up my child, lets go again. Its time to feel that strength in your legs”.

We need to embrace that falling is part of our development as a child of God. This new perspective on our hardships and setbacks as well as our disobedience will change everything. Instead of focusing on the voice of the accuser, we can listen to the only voice that matters. Repentance is not just about turning, it is also about standing back up, and through Christ, you don't have to do it alone. Do not try and make any amends as the debt has already been paid ... Just respond.






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