Yesterday morning as we arrived, Georgia did something that really caught my attention. It was one of those things that I'm sure on most days I'd never notice, but ever since it happened, I have found myself thinking about it pretty frequently.
It was really cold yesterday morning so Miss G was all bundled up in her coat and hat and was tightly clutching her beloved Duck Duck in her right arm. I was walking beside her on her left side. As we got to the porch step that is much too tall for her to just step right up on, she stopped. Then she simply lifted her chubby little hand in the air.
She didn't look up.
She didn't look around.
She didn't say "Momma."
No, she simply held up her hand and knew with unfailing certainty that I would be there to help her. She was right...I was.
As you may or may not recall, I have chosen the word "Trust" to be my guiding theme for the coming year. There was my not-yet-two-year-old baby girl demonstrating for me what it truly means to trust. Without batting an eye, she raised her hand into the air, confident that I would be there to hold it and help her get where she needed to go.
I so badly want that to be me.
Next time I'm standing in front of a step that I know is much too large for me to take, holding tightly to that which I hold so dear, I want to without a second thought hold up my hand. I want to do that and know that He is beside me, waiting to take my hand and give me the help we both know I need.
Unfortunately, this is not a strength of mine. Yet.
I tend to get into situations that require a great deal of faith and trust and do a lot of talking about both of those things, yet it takes me a while to actually do the trusting and have the faith. It's not that I don't think the Lord walks beside me. It's not that I don't think He cares. It's not that I don't think He wants to help me.
It's that I don't make myself available for being helped. He can't hold my hand unless I give it to Him. Many times I make it as though I need to seek Him out with bullhorns and neon lights.
"Yo, God -- this way. I'm over here. I see a step. I'm afraid. I can't do it myself. I need help."
Sure, that will get His attention. Sure, He will find me. Sure, He will help me.
But He'll do it anyway, even if I don't say a word.
Psalm 9: 9-10 (NLT)
9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
I keep coming back to trust in a big way, friends. I just never thought my little Love Bug would give me such a clear example of what it's supposed to look like.
15 comments:
Trust - why are kids so great at it? The Bible tells us to become like one of these. How true. It's great that you could notice the lessons from a little one!
Kids are good at it - they are so trusting. Your story of Georgia reminds me of the Footprints poem -He is always there to carry us through the bad times, walk beside us. It is something I struggle with at times as well. Thanks for sharing this story of your daughter and a bit of your heart.
You are so right. If only we could be like children in that way. We are immature in so many other ways, yet when it comes to the good qualities children possess (like trust), we think we are too dignified and 'together' to depend on God. Funny how He proves Himself faithful over and over and we still do not trust when we are facing a mountain.
Good word, my friend. SO, When are you moving to Tennessee?
What a sweet post. I'm glad you took notice of that little event and used it to challenge us.
That story is Awesome...what a great "word picture" that was.
I also wanted to tell you that I made the White Sauce Chicken Enchillada Casserole...
F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S!
My hubby said, and I quote:
"This is the best thing you have ever made! You can make this EVERY night for me!"
No Lie.
And I consider myself a fairly good cook, so that's some HIGH praise right there!
Thanks!
I am new to God's word and try a little more everyday to grow closer to Him and what He wants from me. Thank you for a wonderful example from such a sweet little girl. I know I need to stop trying to do "it" all myself and just raise my hand up to the Lord. I especially like how you said you can do it without words because He will know....He just will. **sigh** For some reason, just knowing THAT, makes all the nonsense of life seem "doable". Thank you for such inspiring words.
This is amazing Tara. Beautiful and timely observation about us and God!
I just love how moments with our kids somehow give us a new perspective on God's love for us. Sweet moment with G and sweet moment with God.
Wow Tara. Put me in tears why don't you. What a B.E.U.T.I.F.U.L. post. Thanks for sharing. Isn't it sweet when they just know you are going to be there?! I just need to learn that He will always be there.
What a beautiful picture of this word! Love that God used your sweet little one to teach you something today! I love it when He does things like this!!
Have a great week!
steph.
Love this. Love you. Love sweet little Miss G.
I read this the other night, and got all choked up. What a wonderful example of trust, and what a great example of how good a mommy you are. She just knew that you would be there for her.
(((((((((((Tara)))))))))
I have this same feeling. Being a parent myself has made me realize how much God loves me. I used to wonder how God could forgive me for certain things. But as a mother, I know how easy it is to forgive my own kids. There may be concequenses for their actions, but I love them endlessly and will help them through.
beautiful post
What a great blog Tara & how precious that the Lord uses our children to show us. I find so often that the Lord shows us His desired relationship with us through the parent/child relationship. What a sweet & so real example. Trust is a hard one because we think we know how best to handle things...not so true. Thanks for the great post!
How I would love to get that child-like faith back. Why do we, as adults, have to make it so stinkin'hard?
Thanks for the post.
Isn't it awesome when the Lord teaches us through our children? I love those real life illustrations... they just speak so powerfully!
Great post, Tara... :)
Heather
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