So I was in Costco – the super-duper club warehouse store – and I was quite intrigued by what I observed while waiting in line to check out.

There was a family ahead of me with a mom, dad, grandma, auntie, and two little daughters.  The oldest daughter was about four or five years old but she was a Proverbs-31-woman in the making.  I don’t know her first name but “industrious” was her middle name.  She was doing too much, determined to rearrange everything in their shopping cart to her liking.  This went on for what seemed like an hour while her folks were preoccupied with their conversation.

The little girl walked the perimeter of the cart several times, moving pans, face cream, paper towels, you name it.  When the other shoppers completed their transaction, the family advanced to the conveyor belt. And of course, little missy offered her little helping hands in unloading the cart. Again, the adults were not paying attention as she reached for the 100 oz. bottle of liquid detergent which sat in the front compartment of the cart.

She looked at me, I looked at her.  I mouthed, “That’s too heavy.” She eyed, “I got this.” She slid the bottle to the edge and lifted it with all her might, up and over the hand rail.  The bottle nearly took her down once she had fully retrieved it.  But she wobbled and regained her footing like this was an everyday thing.

I was amazed and impressed.  But I really wanted to ask her, “Why would you pick up that heavy bottle by yourself when your father is right there? He could have helped you.”

In retrospect a few hours later, heaven turned the mirror on me.  Why do I insist on picking up and carrying heavy loads by myself when my heavenly Father is right there to help me? YIKES!  Who knew my shopping trip would turn into a life lesson!  I’m just like that little girl and I needed to be reminded that divine help is available.  God is paying attention and even when I don’t ask for His help, I need it.

When I am overwhelmed by the load of life and when I’m just doing too much, help is just a prayer away.  Joseph Scriven penned these words in the beloved hymn of the church, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”:  Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge – take it to the Lord in prayer.

1 Peter 5:7: “…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

TaVon Morrison
© May 2016