Me do it!

I waste a lot of time trying to do things for my two year old. I'm usually in a hurry and since she's only 2 it takes her longer to do things than I'd like so I try to do them for her. Inevitably, I end up standing there waiting while she re-does whatever I just tried to do for her. And the whole time she's shaking her finger at me and lecturing me: "Me do it next time, Mommy. Me do it!" Sometimes I remember to let her try it on her own and step in only when she asks for help, but since I'm still working on the whole patience thing, often I try to help her along. I'm trying to teach her that it's okay to let people do things for you once in a while, that sometimes you're not tall enough or strong enough or quick enough and it's okay to admit it.

Last night Brian and I were watching this documentary about a paraplegic climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. He reminded me of Rylie because he was absolutely determined to do it all on his own. In fact, he almost gave up when he reached a rock field because there was no way he could get over it unless he was carried, and this would have meant that he had failed to achieve his goal. Thankfully he recognized that being carried does not mean you've failed, it merely means that you're human, and every now and then we all come across a stretch that we simply cannot navigate on our own.

I think most of us like to be seen as competent, self-sufficient individuals. I know I do! I've often thought that my plunge into motherhood was exactly what I needed to expose my limitations and force me to rely on God for the strength, patience, wisdom and love I need to get through each day. People often wonder how we managed so many kids so quickly. As much as I'd like to pretend that I'm superhuman, I have to acknowledge that God carries us. A lot! And I believe that being carried by the all powerful God of the universe beats trying to do it all on my own. Why struggle to maintain the self-sufficient facade when God is waiting, with unlimited power, for me to ask for whatever I need?

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31