Pancakes and the power of God

A few weeks ago I visited my brother, sister-in-law and nieces in Colorado.  The girls are 5 (almost 6) and 3, so of course I got to do fun things like play Princess Candyland, watch Frozen, have tea parties, read stories, dress Barbies....you get the idea. (Unless of course, you have boys, in which case you have no idea what I'm talking about.)

Yes, I woke up to this sight every day.

My first morning there was a Saturday and so of course, pancakes were in order.  I recruited the girls to help me and they quickly moved the nearest available chairs up to the counter.  We took turns cracking, pouring, and stirring, until at last it was time to add the special ingredient: chocolate chips.  (Their mom's idea.  Don't judge.)  Splitting the measurement in half so that each girl could have the chance to pour the goodies in,  I handed the 3-year-old her portion and told her, "Now sprinkle the chips into the batter."  Her worried little voice replied, "But I don't know how to sprinkle!"  So I stepped in close, gently placed my hands over hers and guided them to create a rainshower of chocolate chips around the bowl. Then big sister dumped her chips in, gave the batter a final stir and I began ladling it onto the griddle.

Those were some of the best pancakes ever.

Later on, as I reflected on that sweet experience, I realized the powerful spiritual truth of that moment.  How many times has God asked me to do something and I hesitate: "God, I don't know how."  I don't move; I'm paralyzed by my own perceptions.  But just as I gave my niece my "hand power" to sprinkle those chips, God gives us His power to do what He asks.  My niece did not resist me, she allowed me to help her.  When we yield to God, His Holy Spirit comes in close and takes over, granting us the ability to do what we feel inadequate to do: loving when it's hard, forgiving when we've been hurt, launching out into a new area of ministry.  In the kitchen that day, I saw with my own eyes a real-life example of Philippians 4:13, that Scripture we always quote but never really live like we believe:

"...For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (New Living Translation)

My niece felt she could not do what I'd asked her because she didn't know how.  When I gave my strength and knowledge to the situation, she was able to respond.  In the same way, when the truth of God's words and His mighty hand touches our lives, we can break free from our self-imposed paralysis and do what He's asked.

So my question for you today is, What is God asking you to do?  Allow Him to place His loving hands over your hands, your heart, your mind. You can respond to His instructions with confidence knowing He will empower you to do the difficult or impossible in your life.  I pray the results will be as sweet for you as they were for me.