A Step at a Time
I once was a tutor at an after-school program sponsored by a church in Chattanooga- E.L.E.C.T (East Lake Every Child Taught). The teacher I was assisting at the time was attempting to encourage a young girl to keep doing her work. This child was in second grade, overwhelmed by the difficulty of her spelling words. She didn't like to read, and struggled with it. She quietly placed her head on her desk and said, "I can't do it. I can't do it. I can't do it. I give up. It's too hard."
Over and over and over again.
As she continued to give life to her own negativity, the Lord reminded me that I speak negativity over myself at times. I like things that I can understand quickly. I tend to get frustrated when I can't understand something right off the bat, just like this precious little girl. I've always been a visual and kinesthetic learner. I like pictures and graphs and diagrams and definitions. I need tangible things to learn new concepts; I like having objects to touch and roll around in my hands. I understand things better when someone shows me how to do something new.
Frustrated, the head teacher asked if I would try to work with her instead. I nodded, and turned my attention to assisting the child. The little girl, head still on her desk, was still saying "I can't do it. I can't do it. I give up. It's too hard."
I gently tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Hey, I know this is hard, but I want to help you. We're going to do this together. We can do it, okay? Let's just start with one and see how far we get."
She perked up a little bit, and we got to work. She'd get frustrated when she misspelled a word. I'd say, "It's okay. Keep going. You're doing so well! You can do this."
In that moment, the Father spoke to my heart. "I do the same thing with you. I want to walk with you in the same way you're helping her with her homework. Just a step at a time."
The Lord wants to walk with you. He wants to take you by the hand. He wants to let you live life in His embrace so you can hear His heartbeat for others.
For me, it's easy to get caught up in the future. It's easy to stress about what's going to happen next. It's easy to worry about my tomorrows and it's easy for me to allow anxiety to control my thoughts.
I take comfort in the words of Zephaniah 3:17: "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
The heart of the Father is for us to live in wholeness. Without anxiety. With no fear. He is waiting, expectantly, to show us His throne room. Will you allow Him to take you there? Are you willing to take a deep breath of His mercy and grace to displace your anxiety? Allow Him to take your hand, and walk with you-- just a step at a time.
Between the Shadow and the Soul: Blogging through the journey.