There is something extremely humbling and exposing about the self-checkout line. Like you are on stage.
As the line of shoppers builds behind the checkout, you search various packaged goods to find where is that hidden bar code to scan, or you hear the jarring announcement to "please place the item in the bag", or you face the struggle to quickly unload your cart from top to bottom while impatient people with one item in hand watch your every move.
For me, that self-checkout line can be a humbling experience, even if I am trying my best. I'm left wondering how the cashiers do it so fast and effortlessly. Parenting has that same effect, too - humbling and exposing and leaves me wondering at times.
In this season of Lent, I'm reminded that we as parents are often stripped of what we hold on to, even as we try our best. Jesus tells us that sometimes all we can do is hold on to the Father (because that's all we really have anyway).
This past week, I watched an episode of Season Three of The Chosen where Jesus instructs His disciples to go outto the countryside and share the good news, two by two, but with the caveat to take nothing - no clothes, food, money, or sleeping bag. When the disciple push back on this plan, "Say what??", He explains, "I'm teaching you to rely on the Father."
As I sat with the weight of Jesus' words, I thought how appropriate this felt for parenting, too. Relying on the Father.
Like the self-checkout line, we are humbled by the process of parenting and find that we are struggling to do it well. I know I am. As we are striped of our own devices - by children who are different than we are, the challenges of parenting in our culture, unexpected circumstances that we are unprepared to weather - we are really only left with one tool: prayer. If you are like me, you are humbled to pray for trust, wisdom, help, patience, and for our daily bread.
But the Jesus goes with us and before us, we are gently asked to trust Him in parenthood. Because Jesus understand the challenge of relying on the Father as he humbled Himself unto death on a cross.
So, the next time you are going through the self-checkout line, maybe pause and remember God's trustworthiness even in this humbling journey called parenting, called life, our God is there, helping lift the load and push the cart.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.