“I don’t need your help!” I snapped, as I swatted his grubby little fist away from the dough.
The boy wilted at my rebuke. “But Mommy, I love to help you.”
“I know, but your hands are dirty and I can do it myself,” I muttered.
I had five kids under 6 in my care and was trying to whip up scones for lunch before the high-pitched hunger wails set in. My three-year old, seeing the bowl, had scraped a giant chair all the way across the floor and posted himself at my side, ready to be my sous chef. Now he stood there: swatted at, snapped at, and snubbed. He was crestfallen.
“I don’t need you either,” I heard the still, small voice say. “Your hands are often dirty. You mess up and make mistakes. And I could do it myself. But I don’t.”
Words from Corinthians welled up from within: For we are co-workers in God’s service. Co-workers. Co-workers of the Great One who could create the stars just by speaking. Of the One whom angels worship. Of the One who holds every molecule in the universe together. Of the inventor of harmonies, peaches, mathematics, asteroids, and neural pathways. And yet He chooses to accomplish His purposes on earth through us.
He could have willed people to follow him. And yet He chose to have salvation come by hearing a message spoken by foolish and fallible lips. We corrupt the message, betray the message, miscommunicate the message. And yet, He has chosen to use us as messengers.
He could heal with a concoction of spit-filled mud, and yet He chooses to have us apply band-aids and give hugs, learn physical therapy, walk the long-road of chemotherapy.
Me? His helper? How could He possibly use bumbling, fumbling, grumbling me to accomplish anything? But again Corinthians whispered: Not that we are competent in ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
I am my Daddy’s little helper. I am His kid, pulling up her chair as He cooks up His divine, fantastic plan, and He invites me to stick my grubby paws in His dough. To learn alongside Him. To share in the creation of what He’s baking in history.
Gentled by my Father’s guiding hand, I turned to the little one at my side. I let my son knead the dough – he over worked it. I let him roll it out – it was uneven. I showed him how to paint the egg on the top – he painted more baking sheet than scone. But they were delicious, and we did it together.
He’s my little helper, and I am His.
Bronwyn, what a beautiful post. I love that my Father, the Great Creator, chooses to allow me to ‘help’ When I make a mess of His perfect, loving plan He doesn’t get angry, He says, ‘It’s o.k. let’s try again’
I was reminded of this myself, in the summer, when I blew my first piece of glass. I was too enthusiastic, blew too hard, then, warned by my enthusiasm, too cautious and too slow. My patient tutor held the blowing tube for me and whispered encouragement and direction. I blew a slightly misshapen, but beautiful Christmas bauble. My tutor could have blown the perfect bauble so easily, but, like our patient Father he discipled me and I trusted him.
May I become again like a child and offer myself to join with what I see my Father doing. May I trust myself to Him anf know that His works are always good.
I love that you have a visual reminder of God’s gentle presence hanging right on the Christmas tree. How beautiful! Thank you for sharing your lovely story.
Sorry for typo in last line!
This is so lovely! He loves, so we love. He extends so much grace to me, and I needed to hear this.
Thank you for your kind words. I am constantly amazed at how I see God’s goodness to me as his child as I parent my own children.
Bronwyn, This post spoke volumes to me. I had rarely thought of the relationship we have with God our Father as that of his co-workers. I’m so glad your little one got to have a part in the scones baking and witness first-hand the working relationship we have with our Lord.
It is a mind blowing thought, isn’t it? That we should be loved enough to be called his children, and then also be considered his coworkers!
In all my own fumbling and stumbling God still wants to and does work through me – this always amazes me as does His grace all over my life!
What a sweet little boy to want to help you make scones, would love to have some warm from the oven right now!
Scones today is a perfect idea! Warmth for the heart and the stomach!
Love this, Bronwyn! Such a well-painted picture and humbling rebuke and reminder. Thank you for using the gifts and lessons God has given you to bless and encourage so many.
Thank you, Kate. You are such an encouraging friend.
I do needed this today! When I started reading this, my own 3-year-old was fumbling onto my lap, looking for attention. I was busy. Partway through this post, I put it down, gave him a piggie-back ride, and played for a few minutes before returning. Oh, how those harsh words come easily to my lips! But the gentle voice of my Father, this time through your words, invites me into another way. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your story with me. I am so glad it is not just me who needs to be reminded of the Little ones who need to see our love and fun in action. God loves us so very much, As his children and as fledgling parents 🙂
Thank you for listening to Our Father and allowing us to share in your participation in this moment. A beautiful reminder of how much He loves us and how often we get to join Him in sharing that love! 🙂
Thank you for your encouraging words, Carrie. God is so faithful to teach us, even in unexpected circumstances.
LOVE.
Thanks 🙂
Such beauty here, such grace, and so much God speaking right into my wounded and waiting heart. Bless you for sharing. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Your comment encouraged me so much, Shelly. Thank you for sharing. May God continue to lift our faces towards him.
Bronwyn, you bring me so much joy and help me feel my brokenness so keenly. I love you and thank you.
Thank you Freddie. You encourage my heart so very much.
thank you. my words can be harsh with my kids and I really need to remember this. I also have five kiddos six and under… and I use that as an excuse way too much, thank you. thank you.
Five kids aged 6 and under is a LOT of kids. I only have three, but on that particular day I was watching a friend’s children too. You are an everyday hero, Cindy, and I’m so glad we can share encouragement together 🙂
Like the message before this one, thank you for helping me to remember that I’m not the only one who can do things and that my way isn’t always the best or even right way. I need a daily reminder to take time for my daughters because laundry, dishes, and paying bills can wait at least 5 minutes more!
I am so sorry it took me months to see this, Jenn. Thanks for reminding me back 🙂
Just beautiful, Bronwyn!
Thanks, Shelli!
I love this. So often as Moms we get so caught up in the moment we forget it is just a moment. We’ll look up and they will be grown and then possibly repeat the same behaviors we do/did.
Children are often the perfect mirror God gives us to see ourselves. Very very good post today.
Thank you so much, Quiana (and what a beautiful name!) I’m sorry it has taken me weeks to reply.
I am so grateful for those moments when God breaks through my “busy” and shows me the significant of that, exact moment with Him 🙂
Bronwyn, I’d never thought about those words from Scripture in that way. My hands are feeling extra dirty and unworthy this week–thanks for the fresh perspective and encouragement!
Hi Holley, maybe it is providential that I hadn’t seen your comment until today. I came back today, with hands feeling extra dirty myself – and I was encouraged. thank YOU, and congratulations on your new book!
Wow! That’s fantastic! I’ve never saw God’s work from this point of view. Thanks so much for reminding me what a great work I’m doing for the King… His little helper.
Thank you so much, Rosie! I’m amazed at how many little lessons God has tucked into these parenting years 🙂
Bronwyn,
Wow!!! What a fantastic and thought provoking post.
It’s always amazing to me that the God of the universe wants me, dirty stinky little old me, to help Him run my corner of the universe. I’m aghast that He sings over me and loves me enough to forgive me daily when I mess up.
Too often harsh words come from our lips and they hurt other people’s feelings without even meaning to. Thanks for listening to God and allowing your son to help you. He will never forget this time together!
Hi Beth, I’m sorry it has taken me so long to see your comment, but I was REALLY blessed and encouraged to see it and be reminded today! God bless you!
I so enjoyed this post. IT IS such great love that God shows in his patience and willingness to give us, with all out shortcomings, the privilege to work with Him in his wondrous plan. Thanks for sharing your story.
Blessings,
Adriana
Thank you, Adriana! It just blows me away that God uses my tiny, impatient, unskilled hands to assist him in His great work. I’m so grateful for what he is teaching me!