I’ve always liked Carrie Underwood. I was one of the millions watching when she was crowned the winner of American Idol. In my mind I can still picture that crimpy/wavy hair.
I’ve also appreciated that she isn’t shy about her faith in God. Her version of “How Great Thou Art” brings me to tears every time I hear it. And her song “Jesus Take the Wheel” has launched a now well-used cliche. Which I plan on using today.
Jesus take the wheel. What a great prayer to pray! The lyrics of the song paint the picture of a woman saved from a car accident, and while that it is a great time to pray this prayer, it is actually one we should pray daily.
Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and before kids, I taught teenagers. But it is also the most important thing I’ve ever done, and that ups the difficulty level a ton!
I have realized that above all else, above the best parenting books and podcasts, I need Jesus. My dependency on him is the secret to releasing his help. It’s the secret to really letting Jesus take the wheel.
God reminded even the apostle Paul, writer of half the New Testament, that he needed to let him take the wheel. Here’s what Paul said:
“But he [God] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV
Moms, it’s okay to admit we need help. Even though we are the ones who feel burdened about keeping it all together, the house, the kids, the activities…it’s okay to show weakness. When we admit our dependency on God, the door to his strength is opened.
This year, I have found myself in uncharted parenting territory. I’ve heard it said that as your kids get bigger, so do their problems. So far, this is totally true for us. Their problems are more serious and make me feel an even greater weakness.
In those verses above, notice that Paul is not mad that he was weak. He said he delighted in his weaknesses in hardships and difficulties. Delighted in–like, was happy about it.
No one wants to be seen as weak, but Paul makes a major point here. In our walk with God, our weaknesses allow God to shine brighter and more clearly. That’s why Paul was happy to admit his weaknesses. He was happy to let Jesus take the wheel. He knew God would come through and his strength would shine.
How much would God shine through us, moms, if we daily admitted our weaknesses and depended on him for strength? God would shine, and our kids would see him. Daily, Jesus, please take the wheel.
