I watched my son from across the playground. He was climbing on a ladder that we normally pursue together. My first inclination was to swoop in and help him. But I thought better of my “fight” response, and I knelt down and observed him. Tackling the ladder on his own, I watched his technique. I watched to see if he needed (or even wanted) my help. And, after observing his ladder-climbing skills, to then move forward either continuing to observe or run to him in action.
He seemed to be doing just fine independently, sticking one foot and then the other into each subsequent ring. But suddenly his foot was stuck in one of the rungs; first curiosity then fear registered on his face. I watched him intently. My mama bear heart rose within me, urging my legs to move, but I again waited a beat. He tried to pull his foot free, and after several attempts when he realized he couldn’t, his eyes searched for me.
And then I called his name and ran to him.
His panicked face immediately transformed to one of relief when he saw me (like a crazed woman) running to get him. When his comfort level was surpassed and he realized that he couldn’t do it on his own, instead of swooping in to save him, I waited. Just a moment. I waited long enough for him to recognize that he needed my help. And the moment he needed my help, I was already there.
Upon reflection, this moment made me think about how God loves to show his glory through our own circumstances.
I can’t even name all of the moments, events, circumstances in my life where I have had to whisper, shout, and moan the words “Help me.” But before finally uttering those two words, my stubborn heart has tried to fix the moment or solve the problem on my own before recognizing that no one could help me but God.
We may think in these failing moments that God is not with us. That he has left us to pick up the pieces by ourselves, but he has not.
“God is our refuge and strength,
Psalm 46:1
A very present help in trouble.”
A very present help. Some versions say “a helper is always found” when we are faced with trouble. God is always with us, always helping and saving us. Just like I was on my tip toes, ready to race to get my son, God is already at our side.
Imagine, mama, God calling your name as he runs toward you. His brilliant face shining as he catches your eye and holds out his hand.
So, what’s the problem? Why don’t we always get his help?
The simple version is that we don’t always ask for God’s help in these moments.
We don’t always recognize our desperate need for God in those moments that press us on all sides. We just feel the push and the tension and sometimes can’t think of anything else but our own distractedness.
But God, in his great mercy, wants to help. Longs to help. He’s the great helper.
I think about my own walk with God. Walking right beside him either 10 steps before or hanging my head in shame walking 10 steps behind. When I am not walking with him, my fear and shame tell me I shouldn’t call on God for help. I can’t call on him. Look at me! I am unworthy to call on God for help. I haven’t spoken to him in so long, why would he answer my call?
The truth is, even if we envision we are walking before or behind him, sprinting forward in pride or falling behind in the quicksand of our own sin and shame, he is always right there with us.
Helping us with his very presence at that present moment of our lives. I trust that all of the books in the Bible portray who he is truthfully.
When we are falling, does God want to immediately save us?
I can’t answer for him, but I think he must. Unfortunately, if he did, we would think we did it on our own–and his power would not be made perfect.
When our circumstances get past the point of fixable by human hands, God is seen so tangibly, his hands constructing a way out. And we instantly recognize that, through no power of our own, a more capable source had to come in and rescue us.
God, in his mighty power, loves to be our saver. Yes, saver. He loves to show us that we are very capable of going pretty far, really as far as we want on our own. But when we reach our limits, either physically or mentally, he longs to swoop in and save us. The moment we utter the words “help,” he is already there, ready to fight the battle that we won’t win on our own.
So, as I watched my son see the limits of his own capabilities, I recognize the limits of my very human heart. I trust that God will help me as a mother, each and every moment, raising these humans and training them up in the way they should go. And I trust, no matter what, that God will be right by my side, as soon as I utter those words, “Help me, my God and my king.“
Pray with me
Dearest Heavenly Father, God of our lives, our present helper. Above all, our refuge and our strength. You are our great strong hand in times of trouble. You are good and patient. Lord, I trust you with my children, to help them in their own times of trouble.
But Lord, the part that I seem to hold onto tightly is my own motherhood. I like to think I can “perfect” my way through any scenario instead of asking for your help. You have graciously placed me in different scenarios where there was no way out except to ask you to help me. And those moments have driven me closest to you. So I thank you for each of those difficult moments that let me see your hands so tangibly. Father, thank you for holding my motherhood so closely and so tenderly. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.
