Independently Dependent
Scripture to Ponder:
John 15:5
She came around the corner, power wheel’s tires screeching, talking on her toy phone. Not a care in the world. Wind whipping through her blonde curls and the sun reflecting off of her pink heart-shaped sunglasses. Wham! Without warning she crashed her little Barbie Jeep right into the corner of the garage. Her eyes grew wide as she threw her hands up in a shrug that said “I didn't see that there”, and put it in reverse. That teensy toddler who was so easily distracted is soon to be driving for real, yet I still see that little blonde haired girl who was certainly a terrible driver. In true toddler fashion she was very independent and I catch glimpses of that independent toddler again now that the teenage years are upon us. It's not for the faint of heart, Mommas. There is a constant tug-of-war between nurturing their independence and fostering healthy dependence that is hard to maintain.
The growing years of raising children are full of moments where our patience is tested as our little humans are determined to handle the task alone, even if it takes twice as long to complete. I'm not sure about you but it was a constant battle against self not to step in and take over, to use the moment to teach instead of just doing, and to foster their sense of self confidence instead of self doubt. Shew! Who am I kidding… I still find that challenging. It's hard when we see the situation clearly, either from experience or age, not to take over. Instead, we need to be praying, offering Godly advice, and allowing them to make their own decisions within reason. When we know what's best we want to make the decisions for them, yet, we know they have to start gaining their independence, to learn to stand on their own, and take responsibility for their actions.
We've been there ourselves. In those years of gaining our independence and thinking we knew what was best for our own lives. I mean, SERIOUSLY, our parents were so much more clueless than we are as parents! Right? (I hope you caught the sarcasm there.) Looking back, I'm sure there are moments we wished we would have taken the offered advice, but instead we had to learn the hard way. If that's you, sis, you're not alone! No one get's through this life unscathed from their own decisions, but we learn and grow and come to an abundantly grateful understanding of grace! If I look back on my life, self ALWAYS got in the way. I was physically aging but, at times, I was still that independent stubborn toddler wanting to do it my way. Thank goodness for maturity that comes with age and experience, and an understanding Heavenly Father. Although, it could have came a little sooner and saved me from some tough lessons learned! Just as we, at times, look at our children or others in our lives and wish they would listen to the advice of those who dearly love them, Christ too looks at us with compassion and a desire that we strive to live a righteous life dependent upon him instead of trying to do it on our own.
We tend to try to handle things on our own first before we turn to him, but, sweet friend, if we run to him first, if we set at his feet and seek him initially, we enter into each situation with his peace that passes our understanding. Setting at his feet helps take away our anxieties. It gives us a heavenly, eternal perspective through which we can see our circumstances. We spend our lives striving for independence only to realize there is no independence when it comes to striving to be like Christ. Apart from him we are nothing and can do nothing. It is through him we live and breath, and have our being. It is through him we have the hope of heaven.
It's ironic, we spend our early years striving for independence and our aging years striving for total dependence. So I challenge you sis, let's work together to be fully dependent on Christ. Laying aside self so we can fully listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let's come alongside our sisters and help to encourage their relationship with Christ and build them up as we are called to do. May we recognize we are not meant to do this life alone. We are meant to be a sisterhood helping to sustain one another in our walk with Christ. Continually growing. Continually being transformed from the inside out to be made more like Christ. To go from being independent to being fully dependent on our Savior. As we depend on Christ, may we be an example to the sisters around us, so that they know they do not have to do this life on their own! Let's be sisters who sustain sisters!
Questions to Consider:
1) Do I try to handle my circumstances before I turn them over to Christ?
2) Is it hard for me to depend on others or ask for help?/ Does this mindset carry over into my relationship with Christ?
3) How can you come along your sisters this month and encourage their personal relationships with Christ?
(Reach out to a sister and cover her in prayer - send a note of encouragement - ask her to join in your conversation or to set with you if she's alone - invite her to study the Bible with you or go to a study together - meet for coffee and Jesus conversation)
