One of the earliest children’s books I read to my child was All by Myself.
With pictures, the book taught children how to tie their shoes, dress themselves, and brush their teeth and hair—along with other skills—as their little hands developed. My daughter determined to do everything by herself with no help, no matter how she was put together before nursery school. Later, I had second thoughts about having read that book to her. She didn’t need any encouragement in that area. She already had a natural inclination to do things independently.
As my daughter grew older, Girl Scouts didn’t improve matters; they only encouraged her more. For one of her badges, she had to make an upside-down pineapple cake without assistance from anyone. I thought she was a little too young for the project. It was all I could do not to grab the hot cake pan from her as she removed it from the oven. I hovered around her like a mother hen.
Bookstores and libraries are filled with do-it-yourself books for all kinds of projects, self-development, and entrepreneurship—among other things. I grew up with such a mindset as well.
As an adult, I realized I couldn’t do everything by myself. The older I got, the more help I needed. But the only book I really need is the Bible. I learned to lean on God more and more. At times, I cried out to Him for help. As the hymn says, I need Him every hour.
We don’t have to do things alone. We may not want to admit it because we fear showing our weakness to others, but we need the Lord for wisdom to make the right decisions, strength to tackle the many challenges we face, protection from a world gone wild, and provision for our needs and those of our loved ones—not to mention crises and emergencies.
Our help comes from the Lord, creator of heaven and earth. If He can stand guard over all creation, He can stand guard over us, ready to help at any time.
Remember, you are never alone. God is always by your side.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and 12019.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Karen Huffaker is now a breakthrough freelance Christian writer after working many years writing and editing in the corporate/legal world. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events.