One of a mother’s greatest fears when her son plays a contact sport like football is, you guessed it, an injury. There’s something about seeing your baby boy (we all know he’s not a baby anymore, ha) on his back on the 40 yard line that takes your breath away. A 30 second unannounced reprieve during the second quarter can feel like a lifetime. This was my experience more times than I want to remember and my experience last night with my youngest.
We ended up in urgent care. Three x-rays, a few ice packs and a pair of crutches later we were on our way- all on the evening before the first day of school.
The next morning I insisted on helping him into school to which he refused the help, at least MY help. Over and over I begged and pleaded with him, “Please let me help you, please!? Let me carry your back pack, at least to your locker?”He responded, “No Mom, I’m fine! I can do this myself! It’s no big deal!”After feeling rejected first but more importantly concerned for his safety carrying a backpack with no former crutches experience, my spirit was prompted to release my concerns and give them to God. I decided I would, “Trust in Him with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him and He would make my path (and my son’s path) straight.”Proverbs 3:5
God had a reason and a plan for all of this and my job was not to understand it all but to trust Him.
And then I started to think about how similar we can act when God offers us his help and how He can feel rejected by us and concerned for our safety. We all live on crutches, metaphorically speaking. We are injured women on so many levels… emotionally, spiritually, sometimes physically. Our loving God is constantly offering us his hand. I began to think about how often I refuse to take the help He’s offering. I just tell Him, “It’s okay God, I’m fine, I can do this myself…it’s no big deal!”
What are the things that get in the way of receiving His help? Well like my son, it may be embarrassment; “What if my friends see my mom helping me and they laugh at me?” OR pride; “I can do this MYself, I don’t need anyone’s help”, OR humility, fear, you fill in the blank. I decided to let the boy do it alone, but not without watching every step he took until he entered the school. I was ready to run to his rescue if there were any mishaps.
God watches us like that. “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
And Jesus went to his father every chance he had. Even on the cross thinking God had turned his back on Him…even then. There was nothing he didn’t tell Him…nothing.
He waits to hear our cries for help. and hopes we choose to receive it. Please remember to let him help you. Cry out to him. Tell him where it hurts, what it feels like, how it is.
And Like the Police song, Every breath we take, every move we make, He’ll be watching you.
