I can't

When did we learn that we couldn’t. I mean….when did we just stop and deicide that the task that was placed before us was too great and that we in fact could not conquer the great and glorious world that has been placed before us?

When did we decide that we actually couldn’t be that astronaut or veterinarian that as a child we planned to be. Or maybe you wanted to conquer the world. Cure AIDS or cancer? Some wanted to dance, while others wanted to explore the deepest depths of the ocean. When did it all change? What happened to make us think that we are unable to even come close to reaching those goals. When did we decide that we had to settle because we could never become anything more?

While looking at a picture of my wee little friend Emma I was reminded of something that happened this summer while I was looking after her. We were playing something at her house and I told her “Emma go and do this.” She looked at me….in defeat…with her big brown eyes….and said “Shasha….I CAN’T!” Something in me twitched…..WHO TOLD HER THAT SHE CAN’T??!?! I wanted to beat whoever gave her that idea…..as I held her hand and struggled to make her try…and show her that SHE COULD….my thoughts went to the way God sees us.

I mean, how often do we, as His children, say that we can’t do the things that are placed in front of us because we are too weak, not good enough, too this, or not enough of that…..just as I sat frustrated by the fact that somebody told that amazing little girl she couldn’t, God sits there wishing that we believe that we can. He sits by, holding our hands, giving us the tools and equipping us with everything we need to do the things that He asks because He knows that we can, regardless of whether or not we think that we can or cannot.

Maybe reality has set in since the days that you wanted to fight fires, and maybe you have walked down a different road, a road that is marked by what you determine as failure and defeat. You’ve thrown in the towel and have left those dreams behind you. Sure, not everybody is called to be what they wanted when they were 5, but can I challenge you to believe in yourself as much as God does, no matter where you are at in life? He believes in you! Just like I knew Emma could do it….He knows that you can do it too.

Sure, I think that this whole “pep talk” is partly for me as well cuz often I don’t believe that even I can do the things that I have been called to, but the fact that God believes in me more then I could ever believe in myself gives me some sense of assurance. Something in me believes that He sees that sparkle in my own eye….that dream that is way deep down. The untainted spirit that once lingered in me…is still there….masked and guarded…but it’s still there…waiting to come out….and believe that I in fact can….