“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because
they have perfect faith,
for to have faith is to have wings.”
― J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird
Praying today that you and I , believe –really, really believe that He’s got the it in our lives taken care of. Praying that we trust Him enough – that when we do struggle with believing, we run to Him, into His thrown room – no knocking, just running with abandon and need,
. . . just like my boys did long ago when they believed Copper, the dog, had chomped off the over-night turtle guest’s head . They came running in, wailing, distraught that the unthinkable had happened.
I hope, if you and I have unthinkable moments, we shove past the guards, straight into His work room – and throw ourselves into His arms for comfort. He can fix it so much better than anyone else.
My boys didn’t think anything could be done. They grieved. Poor Copper was placed in the figurative dog house. I suggested we wait a while and set the turtle aside. They drifted out of the kitchen, not understanding, not believing – it just seemed so impossible.
God – this Father of ours, He’s not too busy with someone or something more important. He’s also not surprised – about anything. He’s already drafted the plan. While we’re there – in His work room, )’cause isn’t that really what His throne room is) – He drops everything for you and me. He’ll take us for a walk, like He did in the twilight with Adam and Even in Eden – and He’ll dry our tears. Later, He will let us crawl up in His chair so instead of getting worn out and giving up we can rest to soar.
God knows we struggle with really, really believing that He’s got it. He knows we struggle sometimes with believing miracles are supposed to be everyday possibilities, even though Jesus came and showed us miracles weren’t meant to be every-now-and-then happenings.
He doesn’t chide us about our inconsistent really, really believing. He doesn’t hold back until we’ve believed 3 times and proved we’re good believers.
“And Jesus said to a father who wanted his son healed, ‘All things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’“(Mark 9:23-24).
I do believe; help my unbelief
Be honest! He already knows anyhow – He knows every struggle. He’s detail-oriented like that. Just straight out ask Him, “Help my unbelief.”
and He will
He will help your unbelief. He will help you spread your faith wings and soar!
“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind” (Isaiah 40:31)
Note: Click here to discover The Mystery of the Missing Turtle Head
Yes, we can always run to our God know that as we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. Like the best Father He is, He even gives us faith as the precious gift it is.
Blessings XX
Mia
I love this! Just knowing that God knows what that “it” is brings great comfort. He’s not surprised by our struggle, and He wants to be our strength in the middle of our storm. I adore that quote from J.M. Barrie! Yes, I want to believe to be able to fly for His glory!
Hi Mary Leigh! Oh my, I love the phrase “he is detail oriented like that.” I had to smile, I’d never really heard of the Lord being described in that way. I love it though!
I’m back from blog-break, and it’s great to be reconnected here! I had to switch platforms d/t some tech problems, so it’s all pretty new and confusing. Doing my best to learn though. Maybe I have to learn to fly with faith just a little better 🙂
Blessings!
Ceil
I recall the first time I prayed “Lord, increase my faith.” It was in the 90’s and my late husband’s business was not going well. Every week in our women’s Bible study during prayer request time I would ask the ladies to pray for our dwindling finances and lack of work for my husband. And every week nothing changed. No work. No income. One week when it came my turn to give a prayer request I said “Please don’t pray for work or for money. Pray that God will increase our faith.” They did. And God was faithful to answer that prayer. I began to really have faith that our future was firmly in His grip. I learned to trust Him as I never had before, even when nothing changed. Eventually He also blessed my husband’s business and our financial woes went away. But the main thing is that through that lesson I learned that God is interested in the level of our faith, our trust in Him. And sometimes He doesn’t answer the material need until we understand that we have a much greater spiritual need. What we need to realize is that our greatest need is faith. A faith that stands the test of time, that gets us through the death of a spouse or financial ruin, or other major life traumas. Praying “Lord, increase my faith,” has become much more automatic for me all these years later. Praise God, and thank you for this post. May it encourage all who read it. Hugs ~ Nancy
Wow, what a post! I so needed to read that. Thank you Maryleigh.
I really enjoy your writing.
God Bless you…Chelle
Great post Maryleigh. You’re right – we need to be honest with God because He knows anyway. Father, help my unbelief!
This post made me realize that I have been trying to hide some true feelings from God — wanting to believe that I was doing everything right while my anxiety just churned in my heart. I realize now — He loves me even though I’m still struggling with fear and anxiety. I can just be real.
Maryleigh, thanks for reminding me that He helps me to fly as I lean into Him. This post really encouraged me today.
So glad you linked up at Thought-Provoking Thursday! 🙂
That is one of my favorite verses, “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.” and a particular poignant thought today as I struggle to see my out of a particularly dark tunnel. Thanks!
Maryleigh, there is so many things I have prayed for and God has answered in His timing but never have I prayed for a turtles head to please be there. I had to chuckle as I read the story. Each time of trusting has brought me at least once to the scripture, I believe Lord, help my unbelief for the long I walk with Him the more I see my weakness in my belief. Just when I start to think I am doing good, wham, a new trial comes my way and I must come to end of my unbelief and there He is. One thing I know for sure what ever faith I process has come through hard times. Times when there was nothing else to hang onto by Him. Times I could not fix the problems, times I only wanted out of the problem and each time, there He is, waiting, gently waiting for me to turn to Him for strength that is super natural and again my faith gets build back up. Great post.
I’m sure that I’m related by doubting Thomas. I am filled with gratitude that God never wearies of my wrestlings, my honesty, my confusion. I love that we can be honest with Him about where we’re coming from … and the good news is, He already knew about our doubts … yet His arms are wide open.
Praise His Name!