“Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Through Him Not Me

She made many trips. I watched her fly back and forth, back and forth, bringing insects to her hungry brood. It sure brought new meaning to “carry-in supper.” And let me tell you, that crew of baby birds made quick work of their helping and then immediately began begging for more. So off she went again and again. 

“A mother’s work is never done” goes the saying and when I looked up to capture this photo I think momma bird was realizing it’s true. There she sat surrounded by little gaping mouths with her beak open too as if to say she’s through with it all and ready for someone to feed her instead.

Don’t we all get to that point sometimes? Whether it’s parenting, a relationship, our jobs, that prayer that hasn’t been answered, the dream that hasn’t come true, or a myriad of other things. There comes a time when we feel we just can’t work at it anymore. With hands raised in surrender (or beaks wide open) we proclaim, “enough, I’m through, finis, done, I. Give. Up.” It’s the place where we long for someone else to step in.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve waved the white flag in all those situations I’ve mentioned above at one time or another in my life. Some, more than once. But here’s the thing I’ve realized: when I’ve been flying here and there trying to get it all done, going back and forth, over and over in an attempt to fix, achieve, or receive it, or felt like I was failing because I couldn’t be enough, do enough, or bring enough to the table…truthfully, it IS because I’m usually trying to do it all.. on.. my.. own. 

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. The will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT)

God’s work is never done with me, or any of us maybe, but the words, “those who trust in the LORD” jumped off the screen as I typed them. It doesn’t say you can earn strength by your efforts or you will soar because you try hard (things I have believed), but rather because God, the Creator of everything provides for me and you too when we put our trust in Him. His timing. His outcome. His strength.

God had given that momma robin everything she needed to care for her young and guess what? He does the same for us. The difference is, He’s given her the instinct but offers you and me a choice. Will we (I) continue to frantically feed our self-reliance which leaves us begging for more or are we through with that? If you’re like me you HAVE heard and now is the time to understand that the only way to run, walk, “fly”, or even take one step in this crazy world is to chose to trust in the One who gives us through His power, all the strength we ever need. 

**Note to self (maybe you need this reminder too): Instead of in defeat, raise your hands in in praise and repeat this truth:

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13