A Lesson in Surrender

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How to Stand When You Are Nearly Broken

This morning in church, I was sitting a few rows behind a young mom and her teenage daughter. (I didn’t know either one of them so my assumptions about them are without real knowledge of the facts.)

The teenager was probably around 18 years old and the mom couldn’t have been any older than 35; which would have made her, at one time, a teen mom.

During each worship song, the two women stood together and the mom held her daughter in a tight embrace. As if she were a crutch for her daughter—an actual living crutch.

It was clear to me that something traumatic was going on in this young woman’s life. Of course, that is just speculation on my part.

Mom stood tall and firm…unmoving.

The daughter was limp and nearly broken.

Although the two were close to the same size and could easily pass for sisters; I could tell from behind that this relationship ran much deeper than that.

The one on the left was the mom and the one on the right was the daughter.

Mom’s hand raised while the band sang, “Your praise will ever be on my lips…” and her other arm supported the weight of her nearly-grown daughter.

It was so beautiful and special to witness.

Did anyone else notice?

I couldn’t help but relate to the daughter—the lifeless form, just going through the motions. And it’s not my mother holding me up—it’s the Lord.

Many times when I feel like I’m breaking (and believe me…it’s often) I still try to stand and soldier on. Ya know, because I have to. I have people counting on me. So I do it–I stand up and I’m held by an unwavering presence; one that won’t let me fall. My Strong Tower.

Just like this morning in church, when the daughter was falling apart but the mother wouldn’t let her—we have a Father in Heaven who will not let us fall either.

In Psalm 40:2 it says, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”

You guys, God promises us that He will bring us out of the mud and mire. We do not have to worry about breaking because He won’t let it happen.

No doubt that sometimes the next step seems near impossible—just too dang hard! And the most you can do is stand up and trust that Christ is going to make the next step secure.

Guess what—That’s called surrender.

Surrender and trust that it’s going to be OK and you don’t have to know what’s coming next because The Creator of the Universe knows and that’s all that matters.

I cannot get the image of these sweet women out of my head. I am a visual thinker—I swear I see their history playing out like a movie. All of their struggles and challenges. Imagine what they have overcome together.

Most of all I am so happy that they were worshiping together in church—that means healing and reconciliation are coming. Oh I just pray that the church body can come around these women and support them and guide them.

I know one thing—

I’m so grateful for that living reminder of God’s love and support. Thank you God that the mother and her daughter were vulnerable in a place where it’s too easy not to be. I pray that God will use their visible pain to help others who are less than forthcoming with their emotions. (I’m talking about myself here!)

**Just as a side note, they were praying together at the altar after the service ended and I didn’t want to interrupt. But I am going to ask around and find out who they are and what I can do. But mostly, I’m going to pray for these two women.**

Have you ever had an experience like this—a living reminder of the promises of Christ?