3 Little Big Words

Lord, help me.

I utter those words a lot.

Like when I’m on the tennis court and my softball playing, home run hitting, much more athletically inclined friend sends a ball smokin’ through the air, aimed right at me.


(As we have concluded our last lesson, here is the picture I promised of my compadres and myself with our tennis coach, Jamey. Our 4th, my awesome girlfriend, Kim, (who I just like so much it’s insane!) left before we took the picture. Super close friend who I love to study the Bible with, Laura, is to the right of Coach Jamey. Said home run hitting BFF, Wendy, is on the far right.)







But tennis lessons aren’t the only time I spoke those three words this week.

Between Wednesday night Bible Study and the online study of Behind Those Eyes, God is rocking my world in significant ways through the testimonies of women all over who are reading the book and allowing Him to peel back layers of their heart that have kept them in bondage, sometimes for years. After reading such an email from one woman who shared her heart and pain with me, I just sat on my bathroom floor and cried. And said those words.

Lord, help me.

I knew I couldn’t change her circumstance or her past.

I knew I couldn’t provide enough wisdom or counsel to make her pain go away.

I knew I couldn’t say enough words to convince her that her Heavenly Father sees her…knows her…and cares for her in the most complete and yet, gentle way.

And in the midst of my cleansing moment on the bathroom floor, I was reminded of how many times I have uttered those same words for myself.

Lord, help me…

…be willing to surrender all of myself to you, even those secret places I don’t like to think about.

…juggle life. I feel pulled in so many directions and I’m not sure I am very effective at anything some days.

…rest in You. Stop worrying about the “next” or even, the “now.”

…love people I don’t like. Pray for people who ask me to. Care more about the needs of others than my own.

…do this whole wife thing. I don’t think I’m very good at it and I’m sure my husband might agree.

…be the kind of mom who loves God so desperately that her kids want to love Him desperately, too.

…realize that it’s OK to give up control. In fact, it’s necessary.

…let go of things I need to let go of and hold on to things I need to hold onto.

…crave You, desire You, worship You, love You…above all else. Put nothing in front of You and make sure that’s not just what I say.

How beautiful and comforting it is to know that I can go to God and only have to say three little words to be released from handling my life. It ministers to my soul to know that when I am in such a place that I can only muster them and nothing else, they are enough. My speech doesn’t have to be eloquent…my words don’t need to sound right…and I don’t need to know how the rest of the story is gonna turn out to ask Him for help. I just need to let Him know that I recognize my helpless, hopeless condition that requires His help and hope and guidance for whatever lies ahead for me.

And in those moments, He will be quick…and thorough…and reliable…to do just that.

If this past week is any indicator of the week that lies ahead, I'm quite sure this very week, those 3 little big words will be (once again) spoken by me. I'm so glad He doesn't mind that I repeat myself alot.

“Listen, GOD! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help. Every morning you'll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar…” (Psalm 5:1-3a – The Message)