Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I Still Can't Handle It

I was recently reminded of a post I wrote nearly four years ago. And, while much has changed in four years, I chuckled as I realized how much hasn't changed. I may be four years older and wiser, with four more years of experience. But this motherhood thing is still too much for me to handle.

How Much Can You Handle?

I do not remember where I was when I heard this, or who it was that said it, but last week someone made a statement to me which is really ringing true tonight.

She said to me, "You know how some people say, 'God won't give you anything you can't handle?' Well, I don't believe it. God gives me lots of things I can't handle. And He handles it all!"
Can I get an "Amen!" on that one?

How many times has someone tried to encourage you - or have you tried to comfort someone else - with that statement?
God won't give you anything you can't handle.
Really?
Because as I have gone through life - especially since I have been a mom - I have come across more and more circumstances which I simply cannot handle.
Need to love a child who is prone to angry outbursts and fits of rage. Can't do it.
Must be patient with an ADHD child, who simply cannot maintain focus. Can't do that, either.
Compassion required for individuals who have made foolish choices. Don't have it.
Need to serve my family selflessly, even when they don't seem to appreciate the time and effort I put in. Yeah, I don't think so.

Shall I continue?
I could give you the play-by-play of this evening's activities...

The point is, God has given me so much in my roles as wife and mom which I simply cannot handle. And because He is so good He gives me the grace I need, moment by moment, to make it through.
I don't have the capacity to love. My patience is much too thin. Compassion is lacking. And there is still too much of me in me to do much of anything selflessly. I cannot handle all God has called me to be and do!
So I fall at His feet - needy and grateful for His grace in my life, for God's ability to handle all He has called me to be and do.

I leave you now with the final verse I read to the kids before bed tonight. Yeah, this verse which fits me so perfectly, from a psalm I "randomly" chose to read.
I soooo do not believe in randomness. Clearly,God picked this psalm out tonight!
Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

Psalm 70:5

Karen

3 comments:

BASSakward Tales said...

Yes, I always findit amazing and funny at some of my past journal entries. Yes I do still look like I did 4 years ago. Sadly, it is my spiritual life that looks the same. It Hulu be the very ONEa that has improved. Thank you for posting tis. It gives me incentive to try to improve that portion of my life so that in 4 years I can be proud of my progress. Love you! Hope you have a great Thursday and then the weekend is right around the corner!

Edie said...

I SO need that verse right now.

This reminds me of when people say that our trials make us stronger. I disagree. I have come to believe that our trials are there to make us weaker (and mine do). Because He wants to be our strength and He cannot fully be our strength until we have none of our own to rely on.

(getting a little tired of proving I'm not a robot here. ;) {kidding})

Karen Hossink said...

Ginny - Let God do the improving. As you are obedient to His leading and trust His heart, I am confident you will see progress. :)

Edie - Good point. Our trials highlight our weakness so we can become stronger by HIS strength. Kinda paradoxical. God's strength in us makes us seem stronger, but we're still weak. Just trusting in His strength.