Big Mama

PresbyCan Daily Devotional

One of the tales that I tell about myself happened during a very sad time in the life of our family. My daughter, Nealy, had a miscarriage, and after several grueling days of hoping that this little life would make it, she lost the baby. As to be expected, Nealy and Tim, her husband, were very heart-broken, as was the whole family. I remember praying as I packed to go to Indiana, USA. I cried as I asked God to keep His hand on them. Then, I said something that made me stop and almost laugh: "Lord, just take care of them until I get there," as if I could fix everything if only I could get to them! Mind you, I was talking to the Creator of everything, Whom I obviously believed could be with my daughter and listen to me at the same time, and I asked Him to take care of her "until I get there"!
I must be a slow learner, because over and over, I realize that, in my own strength, there is really very little that I can solve in the lives of my kids and grandkids. In my humanness, I lack the power even to protect them. The only power that I possess is through Christ Who strengthens me as well as my kids. But how many nights have I tossed and turned worrying, only to find that worry had changed nothing? It's only when I let go and lift them to the throne that He can do more than I could ask or think. He can give them hope when all seems hopeless; He can strengthen them in the world that they face; He can heal their hurts; He can heal body, mind, and relationships; and He loves them even more than I do. If I live to be a hundred, I will always have to fight the temptation to be "Big Mama", but I am so glad that I have a Father in heaven Who looks down on me with love and tells me, "Step aside, Big Mama! It is for this child that I died, and there is nothing too big for Me to solve." With a grateful heart, I put them into His good hands once again, trusting that He is a big God Who promises that nothing is impossible with Him.
In the Bible is an account of a father who was much like me and tried to do everything on his own. His son had an evil spirit.
Mark 9:22-24 – "The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can." "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" (NLT)
I can just hear the frustration in Jesus' voice when He said, "If I can? If I can?" So, when his son was healed, Big Daddy realized that He can! If we only believe in Him, everything is possible!
Prayer: Lord, we do believe, but help us to overcome our unbelief! Amen.