Yesterday morning I curled up in bed, overwhelmed, fighting back tears. Yes, we’re on vacation. Yes, the sun is shining. Yes, this is fun. But life is still real and there is so much going on and many things loom ahead on the horizon and when I think of all the responsibilities and commitments I feel they will crush me and when Jeff walked in and sat beside me, I said it just like this: “I just don’t know if we can handle all that God’s called us to.”

And then, I was reminded afresh of this … 

I’m standing at the stove, smashing the toasted cheese sandwich with the flat of a metal spatula. It sizzles as I push it down, cheese melting, oozing out into the pan. Jeff is talking in a low voice. I slice apples in silence. We’re both discouraged.

This church thing—it’s hard. This parenting thing—it’s hard. This finance thing, this marriage thing, this faith thing, this life thing—it’s hard.

We both shake our heads. Why did God entrust us with so many things when we’re so pathetically ill-prepared? Why did He think we could handle all this?

Heidi patters into the kitchen, smiling. She can smell the toasted cheese and is ready for lunch. She wears a ratty yellow Hello Kitty t-shirt pulled over the top of a red velvet Christmas dress. Her hair is a wild tangle. I can’t help but gather her up in my arms and kiss her smiling mouth just to inhale her ridiculous sweetness.

“Here, Heidi,” I say as I set her back down, “You carry your lunch plate to the table.” She raises her arms enthusiastically, eager to help. As I lower the plate into her hands, I already know what will happen.

And it does.

She turns quickly—as children do, with no concept of centrifugal force—and the sandwiches and apple slices slide right off and onto the floor.

Her shoulders slump.

Of course I kneel down, right beside her, and together we pick up the slices and sandwich together. And while we’re both down there I kiss her again, assure her it’s ok, and tell her to run along and enjoy her lunch.

No harm done.

Seconds later Dutch runs in, asks for his, and I lower his plate into his outstretched arms. Of course he’s older, and just a little wiser (barely), so he slowly turns and walks carefully to the table, lunch intact.

I turn to Jeff. He smiles back. We’re both thinking the same thing.

God’s so gracious. He entrusts us with the plate, even though He knows we will let the whole lunch slide out onto the floor. And then He’ll stoop down low, right beside us, and help us pick it up. He’ll kiss us in the process, assure us it’s ok, then send us off to keep learning, growing. And when we’re just a little wiser (barely), down the road, we’ll know how to navigate the turns just a little bit better.

At least a little less of our lunch will wind up on the floor.

 {I am clinging to this right now. The plate seems too big, too tricky. Surely I will drop it all and make a mess. But we must know this truth. For whatever God has called you to carry–REST in this. Thank you so much for reading.}

11 thoughts on “When the plate you're called to carry seems far, far too big…”

  1. Kari,

    Wow! I just spilled my lunch on Monday and Tuesday! I learned some valuable lessons, in the process, but I do feel the love of God through the process. I feel His love more when I’m uncomfortable or taking a risk. It keeps me so desperate for Him, that I spend more time with Him than I already do! Brushing off my knees, cleaning up my scrapes, and I’m pressing on! Thank you for sharing this! It was just the word I needed to read today! 🙂

    Love and prayers,

    Julie

  2. Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT
    When I think of all this I fall to my knees and pray to the father, the creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into Gods loveNd keep you strong.( love this image). And may you have the power to understand, as ALL Gods people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be mad complete with all the fullness of life and power th comes from Godwho is able through His mighty power at work within us, ( here it comes!) to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever Amen!

    Love you!

  3. I remembered this AM in somewhat in the same mind frame what Joseph said to pharaoh when Pharaoh asked him to interpret a dream, “I can’t, but God can…” Praising God for you both and your dependence on Him who gives abundantly to those Who knows they can’t but God!! Blessed day to you all.

  4. If we could handle the plate and its contents in our own strength, we wouldn’t realize we need the Lord. There’s definitely a plan in play here….Blessing, Kari!

  5. Kari,

    God has used your community of readers to magnify the message God wanted to me to see in your post by certain specific comments. It’s amazing how God uses His children (small and large) to encourage us on our journey.

    Your sister in Christ,
    Kendra

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