A little help, please?!
How many of you find it difficult to ask for help? I am raising my hand too. I have theories on why I have trouble asking for help; excuses why I should and like to be self-sufficient. I'm very tempted to lay those out for you right now, in fact. But, instead of doing that, I want to tell you about what God did in my quiet times this week, and how He is helping me.
If you're like me and every other parent in this world, you are often left in bewilderment and stand in confusion as to how to handle certain situations with your children. As Judah, our oldest living son, reaches 2 1/2 next month, he is getting to be more independent and tends to assert that independence in new and sometimes undesirable ways each day. Recently we have tried to encourage his independence in one area: potty training. It's been a work in progress for almost three weeks now. He has had really good days, but this week he has seemed to have a setback.
As I have been navigating this training process and as I see Judah's new struggles with independence and obedience emerge, I got to the point of just total confusion, disillusionment and an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. (Ever been there?) One day during my devotions, it was difficult for me to focus as I had these issues on my mind. So, I prayed about them, and it occurred to me that I should have been doing that all along, but it's just hard for me to ask for help--even from God! So, I began to ask God to give me wisdom into Judah's spirit and personality and God-inspired words to teach and train him. I found encouragement in this time of prayer, and then I decided to open my Bible and start reading.
As I was turning to the text in Galatians, I "just happened" to open the Bible to 1 Samuel where there was an ultrasound picture of one of my baby boys. I automatically assumed it was a picture of Collin, thinking that I probably would have kept his ultrasound picture close since those are some of the only pictures we have of him. But, as I looked more closely, I realized it was the first ultrasound picture we had of JUDAH, taken when I was just 57 days pregnant (only 11 days after I knew I was expecting again). This picture reveals nothing about Judah's form, all you can see is just a speck of white that we were told was a baby. I didn't even know this picture was in my Bible, but as I sat staring at what I knew now to be my boy Judah, I cried, knowing that even as a month old embryo, my God KNEW Judah perfectly: He knows Judah's petite form, his friendly(!) personality, his overwhelming joys, his tragic sorrows...everything about him--better than I do! And as I considered this truth, I realized that God was telling me that He would help me parent Judah in a way that is perfect for Judah. He knows Judah perfectly and established me to be his mommy. What a privilege and what a responsibility!
This week I learned again to be okay with asking God for help. I can't do it on my own, and I'm absolutely not meant to! God has given me help in the form of a wonderful husband and father to our boys, and He has promised to give me wisdom if I ask. (James 1:5)
I'm so thankful to be a mother who has God as my helper!
If you're like me and every other parent in this world, you are often left in bewilderment and stand in confusion as to how to handle certain situations with your children. As Judah, our oldest living son, reaches 2 1/2 next month, he is getting to be more independent and tends to assert that independence in new and sometimes undesirable ways each day. Recently we have tried to encourage his independence in one area: potty training. It's been a work in progress for almost three weeks now. He has had really good days, but this week he has seemed to have a setback.
As I have been navigating this training process and as I see Judah's new struggles with independence and obedience emerge, I got to the point of just total confusion, disillusionment and an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. (Ever been there?) One day during my devotions, it was difficult for me to focus as I had these issues on my mind. So, I prayed about them, and it occurred to me that I should have been doing that all along, but it's just hard for me to ask for help--even from God! So, I began to ask God to give me wisdom into Judah's spirit and personality and God-inspired words to teach and train him. I found encouragement in this time of prayer, and then I decided to open my Bible and start reading.
As I was turning to the text in Galatians, I "just happened" to open the Bible to 1 Samuel where there was an ultrasound picture of one of my baby boys. I automatically assumed it was a picture of Collin, thinking that I probably would have kept his ultrasound picture close since those are some of the only pictures we have of him. But, as I looked more closely, I realized it was the first ultrasound picture we had of JUDAH, taken when I was just 57 days pregnant (only 11 days after I knew I was expecting again). This picture reveals nothing about Judah's form, all you can see is just a speck of white that we were told was a baby. I didn't even know this picture was in my Bible, but as I sat staring at what I knew now to be my boy Judah, I cried, knowing that even as a month old embryo, my God KNEW Judah perfectly: He knows Judah's petite form, his friendly(!) personality, his overwhelming joys, his tragic sorrows...everything about him--better than I do! And as I considered this truth, I realized that God was telling me that He would help me parent Judah in a way that is perfect for Judah. He knows Judah perfectly and established me to be his mommy. What a privilege and what a responsibility!
This week I learned again to be okay with asking God for help. I can't do it on my own, and I'm absolutely not meant to! God has given me help in the form of a wonderful husband and father to our boys, and He has promised to give me wisdom if I ask. (James 1:5)
I'm so thankful to be a mother who has God as my helper!
It is so amazing to actually see God's hand at work in our lives!! Did the scripture you read, where his picture was in your Bible, give you even more insight? Have a blessed Thanksgiving and keep leaning on our Lord. Thank you for your encouraging post!!
Reply to this