"God, can I help?"

       

     Who could resist those big blue eyes and that caramel colored hair streaming over her shoulders?  Not me. When I hear that sweet little voice, “Aunt Becca, can I help?” I’m a dead ringer no matter how rushed I may feel. On the outside my mouth turns up to a smile and I hear my voice say, “Sure! Grab that step stool.”  On the inside my mind is kicking up into plan B.  I’m wondering what task I can give her that she can do.  Yes, it will take longer now; the mess messier and the final outcome not exactly like it would be if I were doing it myself.
     So what are my options?  I could tell her no; that we don’t have time for me to teach her how to crack the egg or sift the flour.  I’m a clean as I go kind of baker.  But I can’t keep the place clean with an apprentice at my side.  So do I tell her in the rush of the moment I don’t want to deal with the extra mess of the inexperienced?  I suppose a cruel hearted aunt could say that…
     Of course it would be easier just to do it myself.  But I wouldn’t dare turn down an opportunity to spend one on one time with my niece. Time to teach her how to stir the batter till all the lumps are gone, to chat about her favorite things, her dreams, to enjoy creating something together… at her request.  Yes, when she cracks the eggs I may have to dig out a few shells when she’s not looking or go back over the cake with another glob of icing, but the pleasure of the relationship eliminates any slight inconvenience.
     I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much I mess up in God’s work.  I want to help and be a part of building His Kingdom.  It blows me away to think that the God of this universe would entrust His work to us.  I so often misrepresent Him.  I’m so terribly inadequate in the tasks I’m privileged to do.  Yet, God says, “Sure! Grab that step stool.”  I think I’m the one cracking the eggs, but no doubt He’s going behind me scraping out all the eggshells. Kind of eliminates any thought of pride when life is veiwed that way, eh? How much messier it must be with my hands involved than if He just did it all Himself! Which I might add, He is plenty capable of doing. Understatement of the century…
     But He doesn’t work that way.  He allows me to participate in His work.  Why?  I’m not sure, but perhaps because He loves to be in relationship. He cares more about my growth and development than He does a perfect scenario.  What an amazing God! And I am forever grateful.  His gracious merciful love touches me everyday. I’m grateful for his patience and willingness to allow me to participate in the His Kingdom work.  I’m grateful that no matter how much I mess up or fail, He continues to include me. May I always be conscious of the privilege and honor to work along side Him.           “Being confident of this very thing that He who began a good work 
                         in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”