“Granny!” He called as he burst through the back door. He spread his arms wide and planted his little feet shoulder width apart, inviting me to look at the wetness running down his pants.

He stood before me in complete surrender, showing me his most embarrassing moment. Knowing I was the only one who could make things better. He didn’t try to hide. He knew he needed help.

“I thought I could make it, but I didn’t.” His voice trailed off, disappointment written all over his young face.

I helped him get cleaned up and tossed his clothes in the washer. He was over it and outside playing again in a flash. I watched as he rode his scooter without a care in the world. My heart ached that he had tried so hard and didn’t quite make it.

“I thought I could make it…”

How many times have I been there? I thought I could make it…

-through the divorce
-through the deaths
-through the trials, the heartaches, the painful times…

I thought I could make it, even when my heart was crying “Lord, I can’t make it without You!” Not without You, Jesus. Not without You. Only You can make things better.

I stand before You, arms spread wide. For You to see into the deepest parts of me, all my embarrassing moments, all my mess. For You to see how I’ve strived on my own, but I didn’t make it. For You to see that I need You…I want You…my soul longs for You.

“As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1 GNT

I spread my arms wide in surrender to You. Not my will, but Yours, Lord. I come boldly before Your throne of grace, knowing that – for all the heartache, all the trying on my own – I have made it. But only by Your blood, Your grace. I have made it, because You died for me.

If not for Christ, I would be in the depths of despair. If not for Him, I would perish in hell. If not for His love, there would be no love in me.

How many times have we been there? Thinking we could make it on our own. Thinking we just have to try harder, pray longer, or serve until we drop, so that we can make it. And yet, we all need help.

My grandson taught me a valuable lesson: We can’t make it on our own. Surrender your cares to Christ. He will carry you. The Lord your God will carry you “just as a man carries his son.” (Deuteronomy 1:31)

Jesus, I thought I could make it. I have tried so hard on my own. Today, I spread the arms of my life wide open…for You to see my mess. Because I know You are the only One who can save me. I surrender my will for Yours, Lord. Amen

(Spiritual lessons from a six year old. Who woulda thunk it… The Lord works in mysterious ways, amen?)