Getting off the ottoman

My daughter is officially able to climb safely up and down off of our ottoman as of this week. The first time she successfully got up on top she was beaming and so proud of herself. My initial new mom reaction was to pick her up and take her off, but I realized here was an opportunity to watch her try on her own with me close by how she would get down. Initially she was very insistent that I pick her up and take her off. I kept nudging her, "You can do it! You got up there all by yourself and you can get down too!" Within moments she realized she could get down all by herself; she was super proud and beaming with a bright smile. I was glad I was able to see her do it on her own safely and see her proud of her accomplishment - even if it seems like a small thing.

In our prayer lives we can sometimes feel like we are trying to figure out how to get down off the ottoman after we have climbed it. Maybe we have been praying an intention for what feels like an eternity and don't know the way. Perhaps we are asking God to literally pick us up and plant us where we want to be or that person or that situation. However, God does not work like that. Instead, He will give the nudges and promptings we need to be successful; in His own time, He provides the tools and insights we need when we truly need it. Keep praying and asking...in time answers and clarity will come.

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Father in Heaven,

There are some situations I come to you where I want you to come pick me up and place me in a particular situation or out of a situation. I humbly ask that you give me the right promptings and insights to navigate these situations well. God, I trust you will not let me fall, but allow me the graces to set my feet firmly back on the ground and come out a better, stronger, and holier version of myself. 

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth