Since He's All-Sufficient, I Don't Have to Be

As an independent gal for almost ten years now, I like to call myself self-sufficient, self-supporting, self-reliant, self-sustaining. But, even as I type those words, they sound very “self”-minded! Lord knows – I want to be others minded – NOT self-minded. For example, when offered help out of my son’s big duly Ford F-350, I have been known to say “not yet” – as I slowly maneuver that 3 feet down out of the back seat by myself.

But, I did take hold of my grandson's hand when we were traversing the canyons and caverns of Reimer's Park. I'm no dummy! I really do know when I need to humble-up and admit when I need help. But, I loved it when I saw a tree branch that we could turn into a great walking stick to help me scale those boulders. Back to my independent self again! Oh, I get it! I, undoubtedly, will relent from my self-reliance the more mature I get. I'm already doing that when I get up in the morning and move slower than I once did. That's why I quickly get to my morning walk to get these body-parts moving and grooving.

I’m revisiting the times when my sweet mama had to depend on us more as she “matured”. She was super independent and only after she fell at age 94, did she submit. Then there’s my dear 97-year-old mother-in-law, who had been independent for years after dad passed away, but is now extremely dependent on her kids and her walker and even sometimes, her wheelchair. It came with great difficulty to relinquish her independence, but now she gladly allows us to help her out.

Funny how, in this independent mindset that we hold on to for so long, we become almost too good at being self-sufficient. I’m guilty as charged. Fortunately, there have been very few things that I couldn’t do myself, especially in this age of being able to google just about anything. DIY is my go-to in most instances and thank God for the internet that has been my bestie in so many occasions. In fact, last night I used Google to figure out how to fix the loose stitching on my sewing machine. And, whoa-la, it worked. Stitch – fixed!

Self-sufficiency might be an admirable quality to strive for, but now I'm thinking I need to guard myself against becoming too good at it. I’ll admit it – asking for help humbles me. Perhaps I need humbling – because this self-sufficiency almost crosses the line of being selfish in accepting the kindness of others and may even keep them from being blessed.

And, perhaps, our self-sufficiency keeps us from an intimate, close relationship with our Lord Who is the ALL-Sufficient One, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9.8).

The All-Sufficiency of God means He is a God of infinite riches of wisdom, goodness, and power. And His “all-sufficiency” is available to His kids as a treasure chest of blessings. That means we can let go of our self-sufficiency and receive the all-encompassing sufficiency of our God.

Our Heavenly Father longs to have that close relationship with us. He wants us to ask Him for help. He wants to save us from a lot of the mistakes we'll make without His wisdom. It’s easy to rely on our own strength, our own ability, and our own wisdom — so much so that we no longer reach out to our Father and let Him in to help us. It’s so easy to start to leave Him out of our daily life, decisions and activities, and only run to Him when there’s a big crisis. Even in the thick of our daily challenges and struggles, God is right there to lay His gentle hand on our shoulder to say “Let Me help you with that.” He’s hoping we will let Him help. He never stops loving us or wanting that relationship with us, even when we feel like we should have it all together by now. I don’t like calling out for help to anyone, but I’m seeing that there are times when I must. In the same way, God is a mere call away when we call upon Him.

Psalm 91:15 “Call on me and I will answer you. I will be with you in trouble. I will deliver you and honor you.

It Ain't No Climb for a Climber

This Nana's got some game! In many ways, I'm not just a spectator, but I'm in the game! Seems I still have enough tread on these tires -- to keep going! I know it is God Who gives me the strength and drive to keep playing!

This brings me to my week in Austin with my highly active family here. I shared about helping 15-year-old Brennan with his school project. Little did I realize that he wasn’t planning on standing in one set location. It was in multiple, precarious locations with downward paths about 300 feet to a creek that runs behind their home. It is not for the faint-of-heart as the steps can be narrow and steep. And, about that creek – uneven huge rocks were where his mom and I (the video crew) were recording. I laughed to myself that no one considered my young age in many awkward, precarious positions. My grandson said, “We just figure you’ll tell us if you can’t do it!” He's right. I don't plan to utter "can't" any time soon. The project was a huge success.

Then there's my 13-year-old Bryson, the rock wall climber, who wanted me to see Reimer’s Park (over 2,400 acres of wildlife refuge, mountain bike trails, hiking canyon and epic descending and ascending caverns trails, that run alongside the Pedernales River.) I assure you, the primitive and beyond-magnificent, rocky canyons and climbing walls, waterfalls, mammoth trees, and foliage are a sight to behold. That is, IF – you’re not so focused trying to stay upright and not falling, breaking something important. The sheer drop-offs have handhold chains bolted to the cliff help in the most treacherous area. Bryson was beyond patient with me, helping me manage the rough terrain. But, then, AHA! I had an epiphany! All I needed was a walking stick to help me maneuver. Bryson was up to the task to find me one. What confidence a walking stick can bring!

And if that day wasn’t excitement enough, we went again the next day with lunch in our backpack. Maneuvering the canyons and caverns came with more confidence with my walking stick. We enjoyed our PB&J’s on a huge boulder overlooking the river. Bryson dove from the boulders into the beautiful, clear river and swam to his heart’s content. I confess I am proud of myself that I ventured out beyond my comfort zone that resulted in memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for letting me document my “games” with my Austin grands. My phone in hand helps me "capture moments". I don’t want to have regrets about once-in-a-lifetime photo ops! I rarely miss opportunities to take up my grandchildren’s invitations to go somewhere or do something with them. They are my treasures. They hold places in my heart that are reserved just for them. But, also there are places in my heart that are reserved for God's voice to interrupt anything I'm doing. Not missing out on an opportunity to drop the God-word. Like when we came upon a "drifter" with his guitar and backpack. He said he lives everywhere. I said, “You must love to be here in God’s creation. Do you sense Him here with you?” And his response: “Oh, yes, Mam – that’s why I’m here.” After we bid him a good day, ahead was a slippery, uneven boulder that we needed to traverse. He quickly ran to me, reaching out his hand: “Can I please help you down?” His ever-so-gentle hand was welcomed. I like to think just maybe he was representing Jesus to me – reaching out to me as He does so often.

This life is too short not to be embracing places, people and moments that give us a breath of fresh air in giving and receiving. We are here at this moment of time, for a specific purpose that God gives for only us to fulfill. Let's be done with just going with the flow, and start living ALL-IN -- looking for over-the-top outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Then tomorrow, we'll look back and say, "I not only lived with game -- I conquered some mountains!"

What is YOUR Motivation for Change?

What is YOUR Motivation for Change?
The Great Escape -- so, I’ve been in Austin with my family since last week. Talk about change – from my quiet, non-eventful life, to nearly non-stop activity with this crew. My quiet peace zone at home has certainly been interrupted, which is fine with me.

My second to the oldest grandson, Bear, asked for a date-night with me. Be still my heart. He drove to downtown Austin for a take-out meal fit for a queen. We enjoyed our “date” out by the pool and commenced to go to the theater (rather, the theater room) to see an epic movie “The Two Popes”. (Recommend it!) The attention to his planned night touched me so much. Then I loved spending time with his adorable girl friend when she came down on Sunday.

The youngest grandson, Bryson, age 13, still wants to sleep with me. I hope that doesn’t end any time soon. Sweet memories of chattering about this and that, praying together, and falling to sleep. And, yesterday taking a trip to nearby Reimer's Park. He had told his Dad “Nana would be inspired with a blog if she were here.” And, yes I was!

Oldest grandson, Braden, and his precious wife, Ruth, spent three days with us. I loved catching up with their dreams, aspirations and hopes. Sweet Ruth worked many extra hours as a neonatal NICU nurse during the quarantine and right in the middle of it had to have an appendectomy. She’s doing great, and she’s oh, so precious! I love the love these grands have for each other, playing games and spending time together.

Number #4 grandson, age 15, called on his mama and I to assist in two of his school projects. During this homeschooling, the students are doing virtual learning and reports or speeches that would usually be given in the classroom. This creative one, Brennan, had two presentations to give. His mom and I were his film crew. She was the camera-gal; I was the teleprompter supervisor. Oh, my, the hilarious times we had on Take 1, Take 2, Take 52, etc. And, oh, the precarious places were our locations! Thank goodness, this Nana has still got game!

Thanks for letting me bring you up-to-speed at the Wuerch's Austin ranch. The greatest take-away from my get-away from isolation-days has been how much sweeter are the days than I ever hoped for before. Gratitude just gets stronger for those things that don’t come as easy as they were before. There’s something about realizing that what seemed to be the greatest upset in our own personal lives, became a lot easier and faster to deal with than what we ever thought.

Sincerely – changes needed to be made. God probably shakes His head as He thinks “Why do my kids get so caught up on so much that is just temporary?” There is one guarantee in life: CHANGE will happen. Change is something we tend to fear and become anxious about because we feel out of control. But we have this blessed assurance. God NEVER changes. "I am the Lord, and I do not CHANGE.” (Malachi 3:6). He walks with us in every season of life -- no matter how easy or difficult. We can choose to accept CHANGE because God has a plan for our lives – to give us hope, a great future, and to prosper us. If we trust in God and allow the CHANGE to mature us in our faith and to grow us in becoming more like Him in how we respond and act, then we are promised that “Everything will work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

God orders our days. He knows the seasons we are exiting from and He also knows those we are about to enter. It’s a new day – yesterday is gone. Why don’t we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll board His ways, we’ll travel higher, further and safer than we could ever imagine. I think I hear Him saying to us “I’ve got this so let go and let Me carry you through each CHANGE. Relax. Enjoy the ride. Trust Me!”