It’s a scenario I’ve seen hundreds of times. One of my children sitting amidst a sea of toys they have just been tasked to clean up. Occasionally with tears or a scowl, they sit simply not doing the job. “What are you doing? Pick up your toys!” is my initial response, thinking, “It’s not that hard; just get started.” 

But today, I had a little more empathy.

Today I put my arms around my stress-paralyzed pre-schooler and said, “I know it’s overwhelming. You just need to pick up one toy at a time. I’ll stay with you until it’s done.”

As the words left my mouth, I immediately felt that God was speaking those same words to me. 

I’ve got a job that seems too big.

I, too, sit simply staring at the sea of tasks surrounding me. With tears and scowls (and a bit of nausea), I wonder if I can truly commit to what God is calling me to do. 

“Are you sure God? Because the sea of toys I’m sitting in seems to be more than I can handle.”

And He replies…

“I know it’s overwhelming. You just need to do one thing at a time. I’ll stay with you until it’s done.”

What a promise . . . and a recipe for success. One toy. One task. One step at a time. In the arms of a loving father who will stick it out with me every step of the way.

At the beginning of this New Year, many are reflecting, evaluating, and goal setting. Don’t shy away from any goal that seems too big. Take it one step at a time and know that your heavenly Father is with you  – always!

 

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash