Too big for the stroller?

Illustrations really get me through life’s confusing moments. Anyone with me? I am a visual learner and I think that God caught onto this some time ago. (I’m being sarcastic! Have you noticed yet that God seems to teach you in the way that you learn best? Crazy. Almost like He knows you or something…) My “visual” this week has been a stroller and some very treacherous hills. Let’s take a hop back and I’ll explain my week.

Last week started with me being sick all Sunday night. Monday was spent flat on my back as the meds messed with my coordination and lucidity. No lie, medicine seems like an enemy rather than an aid! Generously coated over the next few days were problems at work, loneliness, spiritual struggles, an especially big trial, and other assortments of calamities. It wasn’t a horrible week, just a mildly frustrating/discouraging week. Spiritually, I felt like I was trying to go up the slide with socks on. (did I mention the big kids that kept coming DOWN the slide?! Don’t they know that it isn’t nice to squish girls?!)

Anyway… have you been there? It’s not a disaster week, but you come to the end and feel disheartened that you weren’t able to be everything you planned to be that week. 

This is where God’s visual for me was so helpful. He reminded me of a walk I took last week with two incredibly sweet little girls. As the evening cooled, we decided to tackle the road right outside of their house. We pulled out the double stroller and everyone got buckled up. Sadie, 2, was up front and Summer, 5, lounged in the back seat. The first little bit of our journey was ok, then Miss Sarah started to get tired! I mean, those hills were nicely built! Finally on, say, the third hill I started to pant just a little. Summer was keeping up a conversation and noticed when my replies got a little shorter and breathy. 

She asked, “Miss Sarah, are you getting tired?”

Me: “Yes, just a little. You guys are heavy!”

Summer: “Yeah. Here’s another hill. We’re gunna get really tired.”

Me: “What?” huff puff “We’re gunna get tired? I’m gunna get tired! I’m the one pushing! You guys are just sitting there!”

Summer: “Oh, yeah. I think we should go faster.”

We’re now in the middle of a hill.

Me: “What?! I can barely get up this one walking! I’m sure you think we could go faster, but I’m the one pushing!” 

Hahahaha I love those girls! We joked and laughed all day long. 

For some reason, God brought this conversation back to mind when He reminded me that He wanted me to rest in Him. At no point in life is He asking me to be perfect. He isn’t disappointed when I’m sick physically. At no point in life is He asking me to be emotionally neutral. So He isn’t upset when I’m emotionally tired after problems at work or when I cry because I miss my family. He doesn’t expect me to never be tempted. 

In short, as my Daddy He isn’t more proud of me when I tackle the hills by myself, He wants me to rest inside the stroller. As my Daddy, He doesn’t want me to be fearful of the hills and worry about them, He wants me to rest in the stroller. As my Daddy, He doesn’t want me to squeeze my eyes shut in fear. He wants me to enjoy the view as I rest in the stroller. 

Don’t make this your life motto, but I needed to be reminded to “rest in the stroller”.