Yesterday I was reminded of how sometimes we need to just give up. I was watching Little Red struggle and fight and scream at her clothes that just wouldn't go on to her little body properly. I asked her if she wanted help and each time the very loud shrill answer came back as "NO!"
I didn't intervene. I went about the other tasks that needed to be done. I would pause every so often to check in and see if she changed her mind, but nope. Usually getting herself dressed is in her capabilities. Yesterday it wasn't. There were buttons and zippers, both of which are not yet in her fine motor skills repertoire. She got hung up on those details and couldn't even get her head through the proper hole.
I then stepped back and had to laugh. I have been doing exactly the same thing she did. I have been struggling and crying and, at times, even screaming about different "small" details in the grand picture of my life. I desperately need help, but I don't want what's being offered. I want a different shirt that isn't so difficult to put on. I was different pants that require minimal effort on my part. But, it's not what I've been given.
Little Red eventually decided she needed extra hands to get her outfit on. She came to me without my prompting and asked "help, please" in her sweet little voice. I was glad, and relieved she came to me. I chuckled as I did up her little heart buttons. I realized that God probably does the same thing - He rejoices over us in His love.
One 'truism' that often gets said in Christian circles is that "God will never give you more than you can handle." I don't believe that to be true. I believe that He gives us tasks that are impossible. Completely and utterly impossible; that is, without HIM. Think of Gideon - he would have never been able to defeat anyone in battle, but God set it up for incredible victory. Think of David - he would have never bested a giant, but God gave him the win. Think of Elijah - he would have laid down and died under that broom tree, but God gave him rest and the jolt he needed.
I think it's something like tithing. (Stick with me here, I know I'm crazy) Everything we own is already God's, right? We give back to God what is already His. Could it not be a similar thing with our lives and situations we find ourselves in? He already knows what is happening. He already sees what the next steps are. He knows the outcome. Should we not give it to Him and rely on His wisdom and so on? I think, but correct me if I'm wrong (really, please do), that He gives us so much more than we can handle, so that we can step back and give Him the glory for when we make it through by His grace.
Back to Little Red - after her sweet little pink shirt and jeans with the fuzzy edging were on, she gave me a hug and said "Thank you, Momma!" It was adorable, but a good reminder as well. She knew that she couldn't have done it, and didn't want the 'acclaim' for it, but she wanted to acknowledge and love me for giving her what she couldn't accomplish on her own.
Guess it's time for me to let God do up my heart buttons and crawl into His arms with thanks,
XO,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
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