He was hanging on for dear life. I could see the pounding of his heart. His chest heaved with rapid breaths, the adrenaline rushing through his body. There was fear in his eyes.

I daresay he was the bravest lizard I’ve ever met. That is, if a person can “meet” a lizard that happens to be hanging onto their car window. I believe he knew that at about 50 miles per hour, the G-forces would cause him to meet his demise. He was on the roller coaster ride of his life. He was brave!

Mr. Lizard hung on when the going got tough and his success was doubtful. He held on even when his little hands (feet?) became weak. He was brave in the face of uncertainty and chaos.

Braver still is when he realized he couldn’t keep going. He was tired, he was weak. He couldn’t save himself. That’s when he tumbled and flew off the car window. I’m not sure where he landed or what condition he was in.

Sometimes true bravery is in admitting our weakness, and in letting go. It may feel like we are free falling, out of control, onto the hard concrete of our circumstances. But we are not, because we have this hope in us: Christ Jesus. We can free fall right into His powerful arms. His grace is all we need. His power shines through our weakness.

When the diagnosis comes…
When your problem seems too big…
When you think you’re alone…
When you’re tired and weak…

Call on Jesus. Rest in His grace and power. Know that He is stronger than all our mess.

Ultimately, to be brave is to face trials with our weaknesses exposed for all to see. Because when we are weak, then His power is evident in us.

But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11(ERV)

It takes a brave woman to be weak…to continue sloughing through the muck and mire called life on earth…to run this earthly race with endurance. It takes a brave woman to allow her weakness to show. But…when we are weak, then we are strong in Him!

 

 

Joining these lovely writers. Be sure to visit their pages, you’ll be encouraged!

Suzie Eller,  Live Free Thursday

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan at Dance with Jesus

Barbie at The Weekend Brew

Kelly at Purposeful Faith

Holly at Testimony Tuesday

Sue at Life Giving Linkup

Holley at Coffee for Your Heart

Jennifer at Tell His Story

Meredith at Woman 2 Woman Wednesday

Bonnie at Faith Barista

He was not embarrassed at all. Disappointed, but not embarrassed. He showed me the wetness running down his pants, and admitted he couldn’t make it to the bathroom. He brought his problem to me, knowing I would take care of it. He didn’t try to hide it, he just laid the whole mess down in front of me.

He didn’t discuss his problem with the whole world. He didn’t share it later with his Paw. He didn’t talk about it with his sister. He brought it to me, we took care of it, and then it was over for him. He went outside and continued playing. Once he gave his cares (and dirty clothes) to me, he was free to play again. Free to be a kid. Free to be just what he was intended to be, right then.

Oh, what a lesson that six year old taught me about my relationship with Christ.

Don’t try to hide your sins or problems
My grandson came straight to me and admitted his problem. He didn’t try to cover it up. He knew I loved him enough to take his burdens as my own.

When I’ve done something wrong, or made a huge mistake, I don’t want anyone to know. I’m ashamed. I try to fix it on my own. This action isolates me from others who could help me. In the same way, sin separates us from God. We are embarrassed to bring our mess before Him. We carry our heavy burdens, forgetting that He is our burden bearer.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Ps 68:19

Come boldly before the throne of grace.
My grandson had an embarrassing accident. Yet, he brought his trouble to me boldly. He knew he needed help, and he knew Granny was the only help he had. He understood that I wouldn’t chide or criticize his mistake.

That’s how we need to come before God’s throne of grace: Boldly. Knowing He will help and not condemn. Knowing we will receive His mercy and find His grace to help us.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

Lay it down
My grandson told me about his problem, and considered it taken care of. He didn’t even tell his Paw, who is his buddy. There was no need – it was taken care of, in his eyes. How often do we give our cares, worries and problems to Jesus…and then take them back again? How often do we assume the Lord isn’t working, because we can’t see any progress or movement or resolution of the issue? How often do we hang on to the problem, sharing it with the world, and not with Christ? For me, too often.

I need to take a lesson from my grandson. I need to lay my worries, fears, and prayers at the feet of Jesus, and KNOW that He is working. There is freedom in the surrender.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

Lord, how thankful I am that I can give you my worries once and for all! I thank You and praise You for being my burden bearer. I weep tears of joy that You are merciful, and extend grace when I need it most! Thank You Jesus for Your affectionate care! Amen.

Until next week,