Two Little Words

I am reading a mystery about an Episcopal priest. It is a series. The one I am reading is A Fountain Filled with Blood. The gal used to be a helicopter pilot and is now a priest. The titles are all old hymns. It's just a little fun mind candy.

In this particular book, she crashes a helicopter with the chief of police and an injured man with her. She is hanging up side down and prays..."I can't do this by myself." They lived through the crash, got the injured man down the mountain and of course solved the murder. But listen to what she said..."I can't do this by myself".

What if she had said like I so often do..."I can't do this."

This little statement says so much. I'm not going to try. No matter who I tell this to (and for me this is often a prayer) they are not big enough to help me. Anything you say to yourself or out loud has an effect on you. Period. The Bible states in Matt 12: 34...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks...

What would happen in my life (and yours?) if I admitted I couldn't do this...by myself? What if even a cry for help had the element of hope in it? I wouldn't be asking to be rescued but asking for help. I would be taking responsibility not throwing in on someone else. What if God was big enough to help me grow? Help me mature? What if He hasn't stepped in because my...what does that scripture say...? Oh, I found it in James 4:3...When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives...What if my wrong motive is escape instead of growth?

This is heavy stuff. I hope I remember this image and not go away from the mirror and forget...
Huh...by myself...not by myself...but through Christ...I can do all things through Christ who strengths me...Huh...not alone...never leave me or forsake me...laundry, three-year-old, dishes, dinner...all things through Christ who never leaves me...marriage, job, bus rides...Huh...this is good stuff...