Limits

Confession, I am a daddy’s girl. For as long as I can remember, my dad has been my bestie, my champion, the one who has had my back no matter what. I don’t remember a time not feeling my dad’s love for me. When I had nightmares as a child, he was the one who came to my room to comfort me. On one particular evening I had a nightmare so awful that it woke me up. I could hear my dad as he came to check on me and for some reason, I pretended to be asleep. What a gift that was as I was able to hear his words of comfort, his reassurance that everything was going to be ok, that he loved me. Then there were the uncomfortable years of middle school. Of all the people I had around me, he was the one I felt safe to confide in. He sat on the floor with me and just listened as I explained how uncomfortable I felt in my own skin. Again, he gave me his reassurance that all would be ok and that he loved me. And then in my adult life, when he unexpectedly came over to find my husband moving out, discovering the secret I’d been harboring, that my marriage was over. Lifting my eyes to him, feeling so broken and sad, crumbling into his arms as he wrapped me in a hug. I don’t know if words were even spoken. I do know I felt his love for me. 

While this was my experience with my father, that relationship, the love and support I felt, it was unique to him. There were other relationships in my life, that were not this way. Relationships where I did not feel safe, where I was let down, where the behavior should have been different. Friends, I’ve seen both sides. Betrayed by loved ones. Physically assaulted by loved ones. Cheated on by loved ones. Let down by loved ones. And I’ve done the same. Well, at least the last one. I’ve let others down. I wish it weren’t true, but the fact remains, we’re all human. In our very nature, we are broken. When we look to another human to give us hope, to give us peace, to take our pain, to heal our brokenness, the truth of the matter is we will be let down. There is no human that will measure up. Perhaps they can in the short term, but given enough time, even with the best of intentions, there will be disappointment. My earthly father is such a gift and blessing in my life. But the truth is, as amazing and wonderful as he is, he’s no match to our Heavenly Father. Not even close.

Friends, I’ve been hurt by my dad. It’s been rare but it’s happened. I’ve hurt my father. And there came a time in my life where I realized I had put too much hope in my dad. I was depending on my earthly father when I was meant to depend on my Heavenly Father. Because here’s the truth, my earthy father could comfort me. He could tell me it was going to be ok and that he loved me. As a human, that was the best he could do, and it was wonderful. But it wasn’t enough. There was a limit to how much he could help. In my darkest pain, my dad’s words weren’t enough. I needed God. Giving my dad my pain, it didn’t change anything. When I called out to God, oh how he answered that call. He drew near. He offered comfort no human could offer. He offered hope where I couldn’t see that hope existed. And he showed me a way. More than that, he made a way, through the darkness, through the pain, that led to new life, new hope, new joy.

If you don’t know God, or if you do but find yourself hurting, troubled, worried, I encourage you to take a moment, right now, and reflect. Grab a piece of paper or write in your phone.

-       Is there an area of your life where you’re putting your trust in someone or something else to make it better? What is the situation?

-       What is it that you’re searching for? Longing for?

-       Would you consider trusting this to God? 

Friends, healing didn’t come until I gave my pain to God. Hope didn’t come until I gave my fears to God. Peace didn’t come until I gave my burdens to God. It’s an exchange. A beautiful exchange with the only one capable of doing the exchange. I encourage you, if you weren’t able to do the reflection above, carve out five minutes and do it later today. Then I encourage you to pray:

God, I’m giving ___ (this pain, this situation, this fear…) to you. I want the hope, the peace, the healing I’ve heard you can give. Please take this and allow me to experience you and the hope and peace that come with you. In Jesus name, Amen.

If I can be praying for you, please email blog@calvarylg.com.

Praying blessings of healing, hope, peace and joy in Him.