Reality Check
by Lindsey Hanekom
It wasn’t until after the birth of my baby son that I discovered the hidden depth in these simple words of Jesus - a lesson about the joy of reality.
My 4 month-old son, Kyle, cannot hide what he’s feeling. He’s completely incapable of pretending he’s happy when he’s not. When he’s happy he laughs and gurgles away, merrily playing with his toys. When he’s not happy, he cries. There are different types of cry for different reasons, some louder than others!
If Kyle was able to laugh when he was hungry and giggle when he needed comfort we wouldn’t be able to care for him so effectively. He would become frustrated at our seeming lack of care and nurture. He would never feel secure. He would never know that we will always take care of his needs.
It makes me think about how we are with God. Are we uninhibited in our relationship with Him, letting Him know our true feelings? Or do we pretend that everything is OK, but then become frustrated with Him because He doesn’t bring the care and nurture that we need so badly?
The truth is, my love for my son is unwavering, regardless of whether he cries, laughs or is just peacefully contented. My love doesn’t change when he’s upset. It simply means that I am able to provide what he needs at that time. In the same way we need to learn to be real with God so that He can provide for us. His love doesn’t change according to our mood. But our ability to receive His love does change. It changes according to how vulnerable we are, how humble we are, and how real we allow ourselves to be.
Prayer: Father God, You’re the perfect Father. You’re able and willing to give me what I need when I need it. Please help me to be real with You about everything I feel so that You can provide for me when I am in need. I recognise that I sometimes hide my true feelings from You and I ask You to forgive me for that. I choose to trust in Your infinite, unwavering love. Amen.
Lindsey Hanekom Lindsey has worked at all of our UK centres over the years and has settled at Ellel Scotland with her husband, Johann and their two young children, Kyle and Zoe. As part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Scotland, Lindsey has a heart for the deeply broken as she oversees the prayer ministry and is an established and passionate teacher with Ellel. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys the natural world, particularly the ocean, and is trained as a specialist medic to assist stranded and injured marine mammals.
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