I Can’t

We moms don’t like that statement.  We tell our children not to say it.  We remind them of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  But we know in our hearts how hard that is to walk out, because there’s a truth motherhood teaches well: we can’t do all we long to do.  God began teaching me that my best is but filthy rags during that first pregnancy.  I did everything ‘right’ when I was pregnant—and ended up in the hospital with complications two months before the delivery date.  Now decades later, as my children are about to ‘fly from the nest,’ I have nearly a daily encounter with the same truth.  As much as I long to, I cannot fix every hurt.  I cannot smooth every trial.  Now, as then, my best is below His best.  The things I want seem good and right.  The things He wills are good and right.

Jesus lovingly told us “…you can do nothing without me.”  In fact, He even said He could nothing without the Father.  Why do we struggle so hard to accept the truth of needing Him?  We struggle because we have a will.  We struggle because trusting His choices is contrary to our nature.  He knows that and patiently instructs us every day!  Our best lies in the heart of our God.  We must seek the very heart of the Father in the face of disappointment and even heartache to arrive at the truth we tell our children.  Indeed, we CAN do all things through Christ but not when our trust lies in ourselves.  Praise Him, the Father allows life to mercifully strip us down to the shield of faith.  Faith in the plans and power of God provide us with the glorious righteousness of God!

As I mulled these concepts, my mind shot back to childhood swimming lessons.  Learning to float frustrated me.  I recall the instructor standing beside me asking, “How are you doing?”  As I floated, I said, “I can’t do it.”  Though she told me I was doing it, it felt like doing nothing—and I did NOT like that feeling.  Forty-five years later, I struggle to float in the arms of Jesus.  I want to do.  I want to feel like I am accomplishing something good.  Slowly I am learning that He works when I rest in Him.  He is always working, but I need to get out of His way.  That is what I will do.  Move aside, so the Creator can bring His purposes to the world around me…so His will will be done and His Kingdom will come!  Hallelujah!