Have you ever had someone say, “I will help you” and then it isn’t exactly what you needed? Lisa shares how God sent her help one day.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
Yesterday I was picking up the patio before the first storm was to hit today. The Tonka trucks my son piled up over a month ago were still sitting by the patio. I had asked him many times to take them back to his sand box, but he had found multiple reasons to let them stay, including the possibility of spiders taking up residence to the fact that they were his “special arrangement” for our patio decor.
As he walked by I asked him to come help again, but he headed out the front door. I picked up two and drug them to the sandbox, frustrated–and then my right ankle slipped off the side of the patio into the rocks. Argh! I sprained it badly and grabbed a post by the patio, biting back the tears.
I hollered to my son and he and his friend came running to the backyard.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes. I think so.”
“What did you do?”
“Twisted my ankle on the edge of the patio.”
“What were you doing?”
“Putting your trucks away.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I will help you. Let me get you some ice.”
“I just want to get inside” I told him. “I think I can stand on it, but stay close.”
He told his friend, “My mom sprained her ankle, hold her other hand as we walk with her inside.”
The three of us walked carefully. I was able to put weight on it, and honestly, the three of us walking through the obstacle of items on the patio was more of a challenge than just doing it on my own, but I wanted to allow them to feel helpful. And make sure I didn’t re-sprain it and make it worse.
When your child holds your hand, to be helpful to you instead of you helping him, it is a shift in what feels normal. A part of me thinks, “I can take care of myself. I can walk faster than this. Don’t worry about me.” How frequently, do we also feel this way when God Himself offers His hand to us and we consider pulling away. “I can do this on my own. I don’t want to wait for Your answer, Lord. I want to just forward and see how it goes.”
My son has seen me be weak. When he was about two I leaned on our split rail fence, and landed in the muddy grass. About five years ago I fell at a fast-food restaurant where the floor was just mopped and no sign was visible (He still reminds me about this when we go there.) He has seen me nearly miss a chair and slam my own leg in the door of the car. I am not exactly graceful when the pain is everywhere.
But I love this scripture and as my son and His friend led me into the house, I thought of it. I could hear God saying, “Do not fear, I will help you,” –and His hand came in the form of two nine-year-olds. When God sends His hand to hold you, how is it delivered to you?
Prayer: God, how frequently You tell us, “I will help you” but we don’t even hear Your voice, as we are too caught up in worrying or not seeing Your help when it comes–even through the hand of a child. Help me to see You when you call out to rescue me. Amen.
About the author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is (once again!) working on her books for moms with chronic illness and making some real progress and learning as she writes how to better serve her family–which means knowing how not to overdo! If you are a mom with a chronic illness, “like” her Facebook Page for Moms with Illness to be a part of contributing with your stories and suggestions.
When God says, “I will help you,” do you sometimes miss out on the help because it comes in a way you were not expecting? How can you be more quick to recognize God’s help?
I couldn’t resist this applicable worship song, “We Fall Down (But We Get Up)” by Donnie McClurkin. It really is an encouraging song and I hope it blesses you today. -Lisa
Oh Lisa, how sweet that the 2 boys were there to be knights on white horses rescuing the princess! I’m so very sorry you had to suffer pain again, but what a precious way to receive help. Those sorts of memories of helping will stay with them for a long time I’m sure. Thanks so much for sharing.
I love it when my eldest son says to me “how can I support you Mum?” It always melts my heart & shows me that he truly wants to help! Ahhhhh!
I love when God’s help surprises me in some way that I’m least expecting. For instance, our Pastor is coming tomorrow to give our middle son & I communion. I just got a short email to say that he’s bringing around a meal too. How thoughtful & helpful. Praise God. Thanks again Lisa. Lotsoluv Kerryn
That is precious. Thanks for the encouragement, sometimes as a mom it seems like two steps forward, ten back!
I am going through a dry spell lately and feeling very alone as I deal with my illnesses. I have two adult
sons who just can’t grasp my needs as my health changes. As the cooler weather comes, I am finding I have more pain. As Hurricane Sandy approaches, even tho we aren’t directly in it path, the pressure changes, rain and cold bring on more discomfort.
My sons and I went out for lunch the other day and they saw someone the knew and hurried into the restaurant to see them. I was left to get out of the rear cab of the truck by myself. This area is both cramped and high off the ground. By the time I got out, I could barely walk. I felt very alone. When I made it to the restaurant, I asked them not to leave like that again as I was afraid I might fall. Since then, they have made fun of my need for help which doesn’t feel good. I do think my family is having problems with my new normal and I am not able to do what I used to do as easily as I once did. By faith I knew God was with me, but I could have used a hand, too.
Oh Peggy, that is difficult. Having 3 adult boys myself, they don’t always see the needs & can be VERY easily distracted. It’s a steep learning curve for them & me with illnesses. Hugs. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Lisa, it really does seem like 2 steps backward. Kerryn, thank you for your words of encouragement and understanding about guys and being distracted. I had a fairly good summer in regards to pain but now the weather is different and I am feeling it. Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster ride not just for me but for my family, too.
I’m a fellow mom of sons. I have two grown sons. Our oldest son, Chris, lives with us. His chronic illness (of ADHD and mental illness) was our challenge long before I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. For years, I was his advocate and support. When I found out I have MS, he said, “Mom, you’ve been there for me. Now it’s time for me to help you.”
Many people might think what a terrible thing it is to have a son with serious mental illness in addition to MS. I have to admit, it’s no fun.
But there are mixed blessings. Like how Chris can empathize with my cognition difficulties. He can support me when I’m unsteady on my feet.
I think it’s healing to Chris when he’s able to help me for a change.
By the way, we are directly in the path of Hurricane Sandy. What a picture of our lives!
Those of us who deal with chronic pain or illness deal with the storms of life. We experience the same challenges a literal storm presents: unpredictability of the situation, loss of power, disruption of normalcy, uncertainty of the future, and sometimes destruction of lives.
Thankfully, God can be found in our storms.
Vicki,
Prayers of protection for you and yours and all those in path of storm. We have family near Pittsburgh, pa and looks like they are in path too. I requested prayer for all in harm’s way yesterday at church.
I, too, like you, Peggy and Kerryn am a mother of 2 sons. My youngest is ADHD, OCD, a severe alcoholic, major depression and severe anxiety disorder, so I understandwhere you are all coming from. It is very difficult and heartbreaking to deal with all their issues.
Your last paragraph was very poignant for me! I could not have said it better. All can type now. MayGod bless all mothers.
Hugs,
Patty
Lisa: What a beautiful illustration with your young son and his friend helping you, even though your boy hadn’t been helping you by obeying you earlier.
Indeed, the role of a mother can be so frustrating. God bless all you moms who made comments.
Vicki, how unsettling it must be to be in the path of Sandy. I’ve been praying for friends in that part of the States as well as family members who live far east from me in southern Ontario. God guide and keep you all safe.
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