I was thinking back today on the earlier months when my youngest son was born. It was a completely different feel, especially being an older mother.
By the sixth month though, I was back into the swing of things with having a baby. It had been relatively easy to lay him in his crib, bassinet, or jumper and not worry about him going anywhere because he wasn't mobile yet.
But, thanks to some “baby boot-camp” exercises that he learned from his big brother, he began to do things that far exceed just laying around. He could bite his toes, belly crawl, and scoot his way to wherever he wanted to go. Then the day came when he all of the sudden decided to sit up!
Now, by physician's standards, if a child can sit up unattended for even a moment or two, they are considered “sitting on their own.” That didn't matter much to my son, who didn’t quite understand when after just a few seconds, fell back and bumped his head. The look on his face simply questioned me, “Momma, I thought you had my back?”
Well, yes and no. Yes, I was there, but no, I wasn't always going to catch him. He needed to grow a little stronger before I let go. That seemed like a pretty easy lesson to learn, right?
Well, not quite. A few moments later when he sat up again, I could feel him leaning back to steady himself on my hand. Even after the bump on his head he still trusted me. He instinctively knew that it was not his strength that protected him, but mine.
Can you imagine what our life would be like if we would learn that lesson as Christians? By nature, we are self-reliant human beings. We tend to want to control, fix, plan, and do things on our own, in our own time, and in our way. The thought of someone helping is not even an option for some people. There are those of us who even see it as a shame to have someone help us.
I can’t say that I don’t understand it, because at times I have been that very same stubborn person refusing to “Let go and let God.”
Today I am quite different though in the fact that I know and understand God’s word when it says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) It’s a realization that no matter how strong I feel or how confident I act, I know that without the steady hand of God upon me, I will fall. But, when I put aside my need to be strong and self-sufficient, my “weakness” is what clears the way for God's strength to take control and work things out perfectly for His glory.
It wasn't long before my son and I went through the same scenario when he started learning to walk, and once again I felt him holding tight and trusting in my strength. It sure makes a parent feel wonderful when they know that their children love, trust, and rely on their strength.
Give the Lord a try. Lean on Him. Trust in Him. Let Him prove His faithfulness to you. You won't be disappointed.
