Have you ever been in a position where everything you do is hard, and you just wish you had a bulldozer who could take care of all the obstacles in your life? Have you ever had an advocate who went to the bat for you to help you with something you needed either at work or in life? The Lord has let me watch a beautiful representation of this all summer unfold before my eyes.
It all started this summer, when my husband heard of an opportunity at his work to hire a summer intern.
Before Covid shutdowns, summer interns were common at his work, but with the economy plummeting due to the virus shutting things down, internships were the first to go in the downsizing. So, when he happened to hear of a need for a temporary worker using marketing and communication skills the next spring, he immediately went to work to see if he could make it into an opportunity for our college daughter who was looking for an internship at the time. After lots of preparation and obstacles working with HR and other departments, he finally was able to get her hired as a summer intern.
My daughter probably never worked harder than she did for her dad. She was very determined to make her father proud…not just proud of her but to make him look good to his company. She never wanted anyone to say, “She only got the job because her dad works here.” She worked hard to make them know she was the right choice for the job. Everyone at the office loved her work ethic and agreed she was perfect for the job.
With the dangers of Covid still lurking, the two of them worked from home. With my daughter upstairs in her room and her dad downstairs in his office, the two of them would start work at 7am, take a lunch break together, then work until 4pm.
Every day the whole family was able to have lunch together and at the table the conversation was always about work. My husband would start by asking how work was going today then my daughter would reply with how many meetings she had, how many articles she had written, and anything else going on. To which my husband would beam with pride.
But some days, her dad would ask, and my daughter would just casually mention that she was having a hard time with something or getting information from someone. She never really complained but just as a matter of fact she would tell him about her obstacles. That was when I started noticing a trend.
She would mention a situation and he would say, “I’ll take care of it.”
We didn’t always know what that meant but when he said it, he always did it. Being a director, he had authority to call on the right people to get my daughter what she needed, and they responded. And if they didn’t, he knew where to go next. He not only had authority, but he also had the power to do it. Not in an “or else I’ll fire you” kind of way, but in a way that inspired people to get things done. You see, my husband has a good reputation in his company. People do things for him because he is credible, fair, helpful when they need help, honest, and hard working. He doesn’t manage people through fear but through favor and a no-nonsense kind of way that makes people want to work with him. Sometimes the answer was “done”, some “wait”, some “no”, but he always used his authority to get the answers she needed.
One day the Lord showed me, that this intricate little dance between my husband and my daughter was actually an image between God and His children.
First, like God, my husband went before my daughter had even applied and cleared the way for her to come on board. Even when we can’t see Him at work, God clears the way for you and me as well to do the work He has prepared for us to do.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
Second, my daughter felt very comfortable telling her dad how things were going at work. She knew that even though he was a director, and she was a measly intern, she could tell him honestly what was going on and that she would not be judged or loved any more or any less no matter what was going on in her world. That, my friends, is how we should be with the Lord—always coming to Him with all our concerns knowing He will help us and listen no matter what we have to say. He is our Abba Father, our dad.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
Third, when my daughter had obstacles in her way, my husband was called to action. Sometimes the answer was no, sometimes it was wait, and many times it was an “I’ll take care of it” response. Have you ever thought about the Lord in that way? When we present things to Him, He is called to respond. And to think, if my mortal husband had the ability to clear obstacles, how much more is our Heavenly Father able to clear out our obstacles? He is even more powerful and ABLE. Sometimes we just forget to ask.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Finally, my daughter wanted her dad to look good. She did not perform at her best to make him love her any more or to make others oooh and aaaah over her but to make her dad shine. When we work for the Lord, in the same vein, we do not toil to make God love us more or men to gush over us. Our work is unto the Lord because we love Him so much, we would not consider any less than our best.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23)
What an awesome picture of God and his beloved children! Next time you are in a situation where you need help, think of this image and your role in it. As much as my husband loves his daughter, God loves you 1000s times more. Like her, come to His table and talk to Him, like a daughter talks to her daddy. Ask Him to clear your obstacles and prepare your way. He won’t do it until you ask. Approach Him in love, giving Him your best. Let Him beam with pride as He says,
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)
Heavenly, Father, Abba, help us remember this as we deal with our daily battles. You tell us to pray “Give us this daily bread” and that is you, our Bread of Life. Lord, remind us that you are ABLE. In all your power, you are able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or conceive. Hear our cries today, see us, prepare our way, clear out our obstacles and help us to perform to the best of our ability, not to please man but to please you, because we love you. Let your light shine through us in all things so that you may have the all glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
I love helping people see God working in their lives. If you have trouble seeing the handprint of God in your life, schedule a discovery session with me and we can talk about it.
Written by Katina Wilkins, Morning by Morning Life Coach, August 2021.