God Even Helps with Dinner
I’m much more likely to think about practical survival needs like what's for dinner, which discipline strategy will work, and what room to clean than I am to think about the Holy Spirit. Sound familiar? I mean He’s not going to tell me what to have for dinner. Or am I missing it? Might He help me with seemingly mundane requests if I just ask?
Moms are especially guilty of the shoulds, thinking, I should be able to figure this out. I should be able to handle my kids. I should be in a better place in my marriage by now. Believing we should be able is nothing but pride. It’s merely an attitude that says, I don’t need God’s help for this. I’m depending on self. I can figure it out. But we can’t figure it out. We do need His help!
When Jesus introduced the Spirit to His disciples, He used the name Helper. In Greek, the word is Paraclete, which means comforter, advocate, or counselor. As He said to them, He says to us: You will be okay because I will send you the Helper. “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” (John 14:18). “The Helper will be with you and in you…” (John 14:17).
Jesus wants us, to hear His heart of love: I will not abandon you. I will not leave you alone and without help. “Believe Me,” He implores us. Like the many times I reassured my little ones, “Mommy will be back. I promise. I will not abandon you.” So Jesus does the same with us. The Helper will be with us forever. And you can depend on Him for even the smallest, most practical needs.
-Where do you need the Holy Spirit's help this week?
-Set reminders on your phone for 3 or 4 times throughout the day. Make the reminders say, "Ask the Holy Spirit for help." And really ask Him when your phone alerts you.
-How can you help your children to remember to rely on the Holy Spirit every day?