Into Your Presence
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Maybe God thinks I’m a cry baby.
My mountain is more than I can handle. I can’t see past it. I can’t bear the weight of it.
My mountain is frightening and dark and seemingly impenetrable.
I am helpless and weak in its shadow.
Yet, I pretend that I can handle it. I tell myself to be brave.
Never let them see you cry.
I trudge on like a four-year-old wearing a red terry cloth cape tied around my neck.
I scheme a sure-fire plan to take that mountain down. I walk around in circles and make plenty of noise.
I always end up flat on my face, bruised and brokenhearted.
I cry. Defeated, I cry hard and heavy till I can’t breathe.
I cry out to my Abba Father.
His response to my cry is always tender:
- He hears my voice. (II Samuel 22:7)
- He turns to me. (Psalms 40:1)
- He takes note of my distress. (Psalms 106:14)
- He is attentive. His eyes are on me. (Psalms 34:15)
- He hears me and accepts my prayer. (Psalms 6:9)
- He hears my desires and encourages me. (Psalms 10:17)
- He gives me understanding. (Psalms 119:169)
- He comes to my relief. (Psalms 143:1)
- He extends mercy to me. (Psalms 142:1)
- He saves me. (Psalms 88:1)
- He rescues me from those who pursue me. (Psalms 142:6)
- He delivers me from trouble. (Psalms 34:17)
- He vindicates me. (Psalms 57:2)
- He brings about justice for me. (Luke 18:7)
- He fulfills my desires. (Psalms 145:19)
- He is my Refuge, my Portion in the land of the living. (Psalms 142:5
He knows I’m a big cry baby, and He loves me anyway.
He delights in receiving and responding to His snotty-nosed children.
Cry out to Him today. Lift up your arms in surrender. Trust that Your Abba Father will envelop you in His care and comfort.
Lord, let my cry come right into Your presence.
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Let’s Talk: Do you try to put on a brave front before God, or are you more of a Cry Baby?
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This year, my desire is to lift up holy hands and “Pray Big.” Want to join me? I’ve created a private “Pray Big” Facebook group for like-minded sisters to share their stories and surrender each one to our mountain-moving God in prayer. Let’s cry out to God together.
Oh yeah, I’m a cry baby. But the good thing is that He really DOES hear our hearts and doesn’t turn away in disgust or bewilderment or boredom. I’m so grateful.
And maybe because we feel so safe to be ourselves with Him we’re so much free-er to praise and exalt His holy name … He keeps proving Himself to be faithful and all we can do is fall in love more deeply.
Praying big with ya’, girl …
A bruised reed He will not break – such an encouraging post, Lyli! Reminders of His tender love. May you feel wrapped in the warmth of that Love today, my friend.
I have a 2 year old and found your image of the child putting on the red cape absolutely relatable. And so true! Too often I try to fake being OK when I’m really not. Such a great series, I’m looking forward to the rest.
Sometimes, I feel like a crybaby. But, I know that God hears my cries and He loves me. I feel comfortable crying out to Him. He loves me no matter how I feel. 🙂
Love this! I love that you listed all the ways God responds to our cries.
Such a sweet post. <3 I think I'm just an everything girl. Talk, cry, share, ask, listen (hopefully)…I'm probably a full-time job for God. 🙂 I've never had earthly parents who are involved, so I've been learning as I walk through this life, that He's enough…the Parent of all parents, and that I can trust Him with my heart. So thankful He's faithful to keep growing me up in Him, and keeping His arms open for me. Not having true parents, one can feel unworthy, and He's so sweet as to meet me in that, and remind me of my worth in Him. Love Him. <3
I use to be the one who always put on a brave front with God. I’m not always a cry baby with Him now but am much more open with Him. So glad to be your neighbor at Sharing His Beauty!