Have you seen those memes on social media that depict a kid “looking” for something but can’t “see” it so they come to their mama to help them?
Yeah. Happens ALL the time in our house.
Me: “Charis, pick up the crayon, honey.”
Charis: “Where?”
Me: “Right there.”
Charis: “Where? I don’t see it?”
Me:…
You get the picture.
While those scenarios drive me absolutely bananas (give me grace, oh Jesus!), I must say that I am just as bad as not seeing the things right in front of my face.
Hang with me as I explain.
See, there are SO many times in my life that I complicate things or, because I am looking for something specific that I think I need, I miss what God has put directly in front of my face.
Here’s another kid example: Several months ago right after we moved to El Paso, we were out in the backyard just hanging out. My son, clothed in a T-shirt and a diaper (#BecauseSummerInTheDesert) was up on the landing when it started to rain.
Although my dear son has seen/experienced rain before, I think he was flabbergasted because rain in West Texas in July really isn’t a “thing.” I told him to walk the 3.5 feet to the edge of the awning so he wouldn’t get wet.
But he just stood there. Angry.
Because I am an amazing mother, I sat there and laughed at his conundrum. His big sister took compassion on him, stretched out her hand and led him the three steps to “shelter.”
(I wouldn’t have let him get soaked. It was barely sprinkling. #DontJudge)
As I sat there chuckling, I couldn’t help but realize that I do the same thing to God sometimes.
I am needing an answer, a way out, something, and I stand out in the spiritual “rain,” yelling at the Lord to “FIX IT, JESUS.” And right in front of my face is the answer. I’m just too consumed in my own little world, solely focused on my problems to see God’s timely provision.
This also reminds me of a little quip I’ve heard a few times. There was a man who was caught in a flood. His house filled with water, so he prayed, “Lord, save me!” He climbed up on the roof as the water levels continued to rise.
He prayed and prayed and soon a man in a boat came by. “Hop in!” the boat owner said. But the stranded man said, “I can’t! I’m waiting for God to rescue me!”
The stranded man continued to pray and soon a helicopter hovered over the house. They let down a basket and told him to get in. But the man yelled back, “I can’t! I’m waiting for God to rescue me!”
Sure, it’s a humorous story, but just like my son getting “stuck” in the rain, I confess that we (ahem I) get so bogged down with my problems I sometimes miss the great work that God is already doing around me to provide, empower or equip.
My challenge for all of us today is to consider how we respond when it starts to rain or the water starts to rise. Do we panic, paralyzed with fear? Do we wonder around in circles and whine about our circumstances? Or do we ask God to help us AND open the eyes to see His answer, sometimes right in front of our face?
God will never, ever leave us stranded. Sometimes, we just have to take a few faithful steps and take shelter in the shadow of his wings.
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings…” ~Psalm 17:8
