January 24, 2024
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When my daughter was seven years old, she came to me and said, "Daddy, I want to stop sucking my thumb. Will you help me?"
Her doctor told me that she started sucking her thumb before she was born, when she was still in her mother's womb. Sucking her thumb was important to her. She had done it all of her life.
Yet even though she was a child, she had the wisdom to know it wasn't good for her to continue and she wanted to stop. She also knew that she couldn't do it alone, she needed help. So she asked for my help, trusted me to help her, and had the faith that with my help she could overcome her habit.
I recently asked her if it was okay for me to share this story with you, and she agreed. She also made a very important observation. She said that she really didn’t want to stop sucking her thumb, that she really enjoyed it – but that she knew she needed to stop and couldn’t do it on her own.
The Bible says, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me … Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:5,7 (NIV), and “Abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 (NIV)
These words from the Scriptures address our sinful human condition. Although I don’t think my daughter’s sucking her thumb would qualify as a sin, I do believe there is a powerful lesson in the way she approached her goal of stopping. She realized that this old habit no longer served her. She wanted to stop and she knew she couldn’t stop all by herself. She needed help. And she needed help from someone she knew loved her and who she could trust – her Daddy.
I prayed with my daughter asking God to help her stop. And He did! Praise the Lord!
Some of our sins and bad habits we can stop through our own efforts all by ourselves. Some we can’t.
When I examine my life, I recognize that there are certain thoughts, attitudes and habits that I have had for a long time, that I know aren't good, some of which I honestly enjoy and don’t want to give up. But I realize that I do need to let them go and I need help to overcome them.
We can ask God to help us reflect about our sin which includes “anything that separates us from God, other people, or the true self God created us to be.” (Jim Jackson)
With the wisdom, faith and trust of a child, we can go to our heavenly Father in prayer and repentance, and ask Him to help us overcome our sin and cleanse us. He will!
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, although we may be great sinners, Jesus Christ is a great Savior!
Ask Him to help. He will!
QUESTION
What old sins and habits are you still carrying with you, habits that may have once served you but are now interfering with your relationship with God, others and yourself?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. We confess to You that we have sinned. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. We pray that You will forgive us. That You will wash us clean whiter than snow. That You will continually draw us away from the darkness, sin and evil of this world, toward You and Your light and Your goodness and Your heavenly Kingdom.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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