Facing the Unknown

Have you ever been in a position where you were embarrassed to admit you didn't know how to do something? Of all the examples I have from my own life, there is one that will always stand out. I'll never forget the day my oldest daughter was born. Coming from a family full of boys, I was at first shocked, but then incredibly happy to be the dad of a little girl. While I was very excited about meeting my daughter that day, welcoming my first child exposed some skills I was lacking.

"It can be so easy to doubt our ability to do bigger things when we are unable to do the small ones."

When moving between hospital rooms, the nurse asked me to pick up my daughter to carry her to the next room. There was only one problem. I didn't know how to hold a little baby. I had very little experience holding kids of any age. My few attempts at it were very uncomfortable and disorientated, so attempting to hold this tiny baby in that moment was intimidating. Embarrassed as I was, the nurse was very gracious in teaching me how to hold my baby girl. Fast forward to today, and holding my kids is now a normal part of life. There are times holding two at once even comes into play. However, the feeling I experienced in that moment at the hospital is one I believe we all feel at some point in our lives. It can be so easy to doubt our ability to do bigger things when we are unable to do the small ones. In moments when I don't feel like I have what it takes to be who I want to be, these words are really encouraging to me:

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

‭‭Isaiah 41:10 NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

When moments come when you have to face your shortcomings, I hope you know that there is someone there to lift you up. God is truly awesome and really does want you to be the best you can be. Not to mention, there may be more support from those around you than you perceive.

"Sometimes, teaching others the little things with kindness can make the biggest difference in the world."

Embrace those who are present and willing to help you when you don’t know how to do something. And lastly, be there for those who are struggling in a loving and compassionate way. The nurse in the hospital empathized with where I was at and instilled some courage with simple instructions that were given with kindness. Sometimes, teaching others the little things with kindness can make the biggest difference in the world.