Lessons Through the Littles

In a whiny voice: "Mom, I can't make my knot!" says a frustrated eight-year-old, preparing to sew a square for our quilt.

"Yeah," says Mom thinking that she isn't going to offer help that isn't kindly requested.

Then comes the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit, "You do that."

Mom: "?"

Holy Spirit: You try to do things in your own strength...frustrated...floundering...without asking God for help. And you act as though He should help you whether you ask or not.

 Mom: "Yes, I do that."

What a kind God we serve that He speaks to us in His mercy and grace!

Thank You, Lord for helping me to see my sinful, rebellious heart so that I can extend your mercy and grace to my children as You have extended it to me! Thank You for sending your Son to live the life I should have lived and die the death I should have died so that I can walk in newness of life! Thank you for Your willingness to help your children grow in Christ-likeness. Please help me to grow in dependence upon You more and more each day and in my awareness that it is You who hold all things together. Apart from You, I can do nothing. Help me to abide in You that I might bear much fruit for Your Kingdom! Amen.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, ESV).