weakness isn't a flaw

Sitting in the quaint cream-colored rocking chair my mom bought almost two years ago isn't quite where I thought I'd spend my evening.

My toddler sister was laying in my lap screaming just as loud as her tiny lungs could force out. I was thrown into surprise babysitting, but never the less. I was trying to get her asleep for the very first time without my mom being home. I had tried everything. Stuffed animals, blankets, sitting, walking, rocking. None of it seemed to appease her.

I sat down, frustrated at myself wishing I was somewhere else just praying that my babysister would fall asleep. Helpless she flung herself back in my arms trying to escape; I could tell she was struggling to stay awake and fight.  In that moment I started to sing. I recalled my mom telling me that the baby had really enjoyed 'Jesus loves me' being sung to her. So I sang.  After a few seconds, she suddenly stopped crying.  She whined here and there, but after a solid ten times through, she was finally asleep.

Yes! I had won victory! I was still singing about to lay the precious child down in her crib when I had a bit of an "ah-HA!" moment.

I listened to the words preceding out of my mouth. I have heard them my whole life yet never payed attention to the true meaning of these simple verses.

"Jesus loves me this I know; for the Bible tells me so; little ones to him belong; they are weak but He is strong." 
Normally when I think about this song, I see that it's aimed for little kids. But we are all His children and little to him. I had a humble moment. I am weak but He is strong. 
I had been trying so hard that whole day to be strong and have courage, but I was failing. My boldness had never come and my patience was quickly fading. I was in fact, weak.

But He is strong. 

Sometimes we have to take what is thrown at us, even if that means eating some humble pie. We have to lay down ourselves and accept that alone, we are weak. But with God, He can make us strong!

It's such a simple message but so easily forgottten! Those seem to be the ones we need reminding of most.

Coming to a close, remember it's okay not to be strong. You have someone to be strong for you.

love and blessings

-JR