By Myself, Daddy

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:9-14

Silas watched as his little brother struggled to tie his shoes. When Silas tried to help him, Daniel scowled and pulled away. Silas sighed and waited patiently for the little boy to give up. Finally, Daniel allowed Silas to help him, and the two of them headed for the park.

“Dad, Daniel never wants me to help him tie his shoes,” Silas said that evening, “but he can’t do it alone. How long will it be till he can tie them by himself?”

Dad smiled. “It won’t be long. He just needs a little more time. I remember when you were learning new things. You were a lot like Daniel. You would hardly ever let me help you. If I tried, you’d get angry and say, ‘No! By myself, Daddy!’ And you’d push at my hands.”

“I would?” Silas grinned. “You’re sure you’re not mixing me up with

somebody else?”

Dad laughed. “It was you all right. You were very independent. Maybe I should thank you for that, because you taught me something.”

“Really?” Silas was surprised. “What did I teach you?”

“As I watched you, I saw myself. I was a new Christian at that time, and I was trying to live the Christian life all by myself. I hardly ever read my Bible or spent time in prayer. I didn’t even go to church very often. I wasn’t seeking help from God or from my Christian brothers and sisters. As a result, I was struggling with my temper and other bad habits.”

“But you knew you were doing bad stuff?” asked Silas.

Dad nodded. “And I struggled because of it. Then as I watched you resist my help, I suddenly realized I was resisting the Lord’s help. In my spiritual life, I was saying, ‘I don’t need any help.’ It’s a lesson I’ll never forget.” Dad smiled at Silas. “God is patient with us, so be patient with Daniel, but don’t be like him. Accept the help God offers through His Word and through Christian brothers and sisters. And remember that you have God’s Holy Spirit inside you who helps you turn away from sin and is shaping you to be more like Jesus.”

“Okay,” said Silas. “I’ll remember that whenever Daniel doesn’t let me tie

his shoes!”

-Deborah S. Marett

How About You?

Are you finding it hard to live the Christian life? Are you struggling with fears? Laziness? A bad temper? Pride? No matter how capable you feel, you can’t live the Christian life alone. Study God’s Word. Meet regularly with other Christians. Take time to pray. Trust God to help you be the honest, kind, loving person He’s made you to be.

Today’s Key Verse:
Jude 1:24 All glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

Today’s Key Thought:

Accept God’s help