This poor man cried…
Our daughter was visiting us this week. She’s got a tribe of boys aged three to ten and there’s no lack of energy in the house when they’re around.
I smiled one day, when three-year old Jesse started to howl and cry about something in the other room. His mama didn’t even look up from what she was doing. A wise mother has to be able to interpret cries or she’ll be up and down fifty times a day, you see.
Some howls say, “Come quick, I’m really scared that something really bad is going to happen.” That’s a mover.
Others say, “Come, I’m really hurt–or at least I think I am.” You move then also.
And still others say, “Come here and beat the life out of my brother, please. He’s irritating me.” Jesse’s howl fell into this last category.
With us there’s the, “I’m so tired of this, why don’t you do something?” howl.
There’s the, “Why do all the good things always happen to him?” howl.
And there’s the, “Lord, I’m scared, I’m hurt. If you don’t come quick I’ve really and truly had it.”
Guess which one is more like to get a response.
Don’t be afraid to “howl” if you need to. That’s not dumb. Just make sure that you’re “barking” for the right reasons, because the Lord knows you better than you know you. And there are right reasons, there are definitely times to call out for help.
Mamas–and God–want you to ask for help when you need it.
As a matter of fact, stop a minute and think of what you’ve been crying about recently. Do you think God’s heart is moved for that? (“Why do you bless her like that? Look at poor me! Ah, oooooooh! Oooh, oooh, oooooooooooooo?!” (That’s supposed to sound like a coyote baying at the moon.))
Why don’t you cry out and say this? “This poor man cried and the Lord heard him. Let me tell you about it. I know I’m in a tough time now but the Lord helped me then. He’ll help me today, too!”
That’s kind of a “howl of praise” isn’t it?
“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked …16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Ps. 34:6, 7, 16-19, NIV)
Take a minute to share a time when you cried out to the Lord and He answered and helped you. I’ll share your answers with our other readers to encourage them (may have to trim it a bit if it’s too long).
Think About It–
“If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.”
Zig Ziglar (by way of Steve Porter)[box] Content goes here[/box]