Hands planted on her tiny two-year-old hips, she stared defiantly up into my widened eyes, declaring, “No! Levi, I got. You go clean!”
Oh, the “wisdom” of Kira, our toddler daughter! She and I were babysitting for a friend, but oh, Kira believed she had this. She wanted to do it herself- without any help from me.
She wanted control. She believed she could direct this little baby and he’d do all she wanted.
She also thought I had better things to do- other more important items to fill my time while she tended to this matter.
Her chocolate curls bounced as she emphatically stomped her foot, punctuating her proclamation.
Cute, until I realized I am guilty of doing the very same with my Heavenly Father. And then it’s definitely not so cute.
I may not verbalize, “I got this! You go do something else,” but my actions shout the sentiment loud and clear. I got this and I don’t need You. I can do this myself!
I want control. I want to direct my life. I want to do what I want to do, and how I want to do it. I don’t need Your input or any distracting bunny trails, thank you very much!
God needs to do more important things- help those who really need it, not concern Himself with what I’m already doing, (and doing well, by-the-way!)
Maybe you too, see a bit of yourself in my then two-year-old daughter, and in me.
Psalm 46:10 instructs “Be still and know I am God.”(NIV) Other translations phrase it, “stop fighting and know I am God.” (HSCB)
We need to stop fighting God for control. Instead of playing tug-of-war with the guiding line He’s using, we should follow His lead. (Even on the ‘little’ things we don’t believe we need help with!)
We need to admit to both ourselves and Him, simply: we need Him. Ouch. I know I don’t always want to consider the fact I may not be capable on my own.
But in admitting this, we do actually free ourselves from under the weight of responsibility and invite Him to accomplish the tasks the best way.
We need to remind ourselves He’s God. He can be everywhere at once. He sees. He knows. He loves. He truly cares. Nothing about you or me is insignificant. He cares about the ‘smallest’ details.
Keeping the baby’s safety in mind, I stayed close by, but let our daughter lead in his entertainment. When he fussed a few moments later, she came running as fast as her little legs could carry her- much as I do to God when I suddenly realize I’m in over my head.
It was easy for me to see how much stress she could have saved herself had she invited me into the care earlier.
But like me, she was learning from experience.
How about you? Do you, like me, need to try it yourself first?
I bet your head knows the truth: He’s patient. He loves you. He’s always watching out for you.
When we make a mess of things, when we’ve muddled in the mayhem of our own making, when we’ve mussed our major plans- He’s lovingly watching, waiting for a consulting invitation. It’s never too late to admit our need for Him.
We don’t need to stay in a state of stress. We don’t need to fight Him.
We just need to be still, consult Him, and know, He’s got it!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that You have me. You have my messes. You also have the solutions. Thank You that You can overcome both my pride and mistakes, and that You love me no matter the mayhem I create. Please humble me and help me yield to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.