“As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.”
Isaiah 66:13 NIV
A few years ago, within the span of just a couple months, I had a fractured elbow, a gum tissue graft, and a massive, infected cyst removed from my neck. I was miserable, in pain, and rendered helpless at some points along the way.
I’m not used to asking for help, accepting care, and taking a break, and those past few months, I had to do all of the above. My husband faithfully bandaged, unpacked, cleaned, and rebandaged the surgical site on my neck. My daughter brushed my hair while my arm was wrapped in a sling. My friend sent coffee money when the baby stopped sleeping and my mouth—swollen and stitched—could only handle icy liquids.
While I am still not great at accepting it all, I learned that in a way, being dependent is a good thing. My friend Amanda calls it being “strong enough to lean.” And so, lean I will, right into the arms that hold the strongest. I’m still learning to lean in, depend on, and accept the care God offers me all the time. And that care reminds me of a mom.
God wants to care for us like the best mother there ever was—ready to help put our minds at ease, invite us to practices that help our whole selves, and/or give us a kick in the pants to shake it off and get moving. Maybe a combination of it all because that might be what we really need.
Just as the best mother ever constantly thinks about and cares for her children, God does the same for us. He cares for us, and He’d like us to care for ourselves too. That care might look like a doctor’s appointment to check on that weird thing, or like drinking that glass of water, or going to bed early, or praying when you’re worried. It might also look like accepting help from a friend, admitting when things are a big deal and when we need to be taken care of.
Let’s be strong enough to lean in—to God and others—and let’s do what we need to do to take care of ourselves well.
What are you finding God’s strength in today?
Anna, your devotionals are always SO uplifting. And I always scroll to the bottom first to see that smile!!! Thank you!
I have learned that accepting help is a gift to the person giving the help. And accepting help from God has been what has saved me from some very stressful times. It was not something I did easily in the past. I have had a tendency to try to control everything but giving it up to God or friends has been such a relief. I am still working on it but I accept these gifts more easily these days.
Continued healing from my ankle surgery and may I be more patient with the process.
Every morning the first thing I do is read these devotionals and share them with a group of women that are very dear to me. We all love them , they are so good and uplifting. Thank you
Dear Anna….I have read your devotion and realized it was very familiar and then I saw it came from the book “100 Days of Strength in any Struggle”. I am going through this book for the 2nd time, the first 1 year and 9 months ago and I find that my “spiritual growth” has gotten so much better since I did it the first time. I like some other women who comment, read these devotions as soon as I have my breakfast. It is always helpful and gives me ideas I hadn’t thought of. So, Anna, I am on day 87 in the book and I know I read this one before, but you are always so wise in your words and your smile makes me smile and that is very difficult for me as I have been in this dark season for almost 7 years now and they continue to try and ruin my life and refuse to let me see or even talk to my one grandchild who will be 16 this year. I pray constantly and hope that Jesus can help me somehow. I don’t seek revenge or harm to my son and his wife, but dismissing me as his Mother is just not right. So many lies they are telling people including my grandson that I did. They are all untruths and the obscene names they call me and that he says I belong in a mental institution as I am a devout Christian hurts me to my core. Thank you Anna for your words today. I do love that book and I have found that writing things down in a journal really helps when we are facing desperate problems. God is good and I just need to wait and I know Jesus will help me to be patient during the wait. Love to you and your family…………………..Betsy Basile
Anna,
Thank you for the reminder and encouragement!
Sending you winter joy,
Lisa
I’ve printed the title “Strong enough to lean in – to God and to others” on a 3×5 card placed above my kitchen sink to remind myself that God and others are willing/able to help me and I can release total control. Needed this today. Blessings to you.
Anna,
So far 20226 hasn’t been a good year for me. Found out it is time to have cataract surgery. Part of a tooth came out & now I hear I need to have 3 teeth pulled & a partial made. It’s all a part of getting older (61 this year). All in all that’s not to bad. Especially since God has given me a wonderful husband to assist me through these trials. God will be with me also. Plus if others want to pray for me I will allow them to. I know allowing them to do so will give them joy-one pastor calls it a helper’s high. I know that feeling!!
Blessings 🙂