If you are like me, whenever something big happens in my life, I often find myself reaching for my phone….looking for that perfect person to call and share with. Often times, its in the bad times that I reach out….and its usually to my mother or father. Who do you reach out to in times of struggle…..your mom, your dad, a spouse, a brother, sister, or even a friend? During these desperate times we are just looking for that person to listen and help in any way that we may need. And in those most desperate of times, I know for me, that I will redial that number….over and over and over again until someone picks up.
So we journey once again back to my son and his soccer camp. He really struggled the first few days. He was homesick, lonely, scared at times. We sent him with his phone so he could call us at night, but that phone became a crutch….every 5 minutes all day long I would get a text or a call. It drove me crazy. I do have a job.
Now fast forward to Tuesday. His coaches are amazing. They reached out and had him eat meals with them, having him help “strategize” sessions. He felt important and made a huge improvement. He still called……a lot……but now he was happy, and even though he was still a little homesick, he was much much better (Thank you very much coaching staff, if any of you are reading this, for your compassion and care for my son. You will never know how much I really appreciate all you do.)
So on my way to work today is when it really hit me. In my sons most desperate of moments, and now his happiest, he was just reaching out to anyone who would listen. That’s exactly what I do every day now….but I am reaching out to God. David says in Psalms, “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer (Psalms 4:1-2). He goes on to say, “To You, O Lord, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary (Psalms 28:1-2.)
I used to get mad when my wife’s friends would call, and she would spend all night listening to their issues. What if God put us on hold…..or he just ignored our call? It’s a scary thought, but the truth is that it would never happen. He is always there…..in fact he picks up the receiver before you ever place the phone call. We are His children, and just like my son reached out to me all week and I tried my best to listen and understand, God is our Father, and He does the same for us.
The coolest part is that Peyton began reaching out to God too. If he got down, he would pray for strength and comfort. He told me that the first thing he does every morning now is pray. His meme and pops taught him that over the last few weeks while he was with them. So my son is learning to make that phone call to tech support in times of need…..we can’t fix everything on our own…in fact, we can’t fix anything on our own. God is our strength. God is our courage. God is our problem-solver. God is in control.
So know that when God’s phone may seem busy….like he isn’t answering you…just know this…”Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous hand (Isaiah 41:10.)
I pray that your line to God is never busy……that you never find discomfort and doubt when you think He may not be there…..because He is. Those times that you may seem lost are the times that you will grow in faith the most. I pray that your battery never runs out, and that you continue to reach out to God when you are in need.
Tetelestai 