I had a meltdown this morning. I should have known; I’ve been teary at the slightest things for a couple of days. As it so happens, it’s also the first day of school, and my 14-year-old is starting her first year as a freshman in high school. As I write this, I’m sitting in a deliciously-quiet house with a day to myself spread out before me. Thank you, Lord.
This summer was very challenging. My daughter and I had almost daily battles over one thing or another. It was either her attitude, her clothing, her messes or her boyfriend. Sometimes, we had battles on and off throughout the day, like yesterday. By 10 p.m. last night, I was nearly liquid. You could have wiped me up with a sponge.
So this morning, just when I thought I’d almost made it to my long-awaited quiet time on the first day of school when I could have a good cry, I exploded on my new and very sweet husband. My internal volcano spewed at a most unfortunate moment. If I’d only managed to wait another hour, I’d have been able to have a fit all by myself. But no…I put a dark cloud in his day as well. But true to his lovely nature, he just took me in his arms and loved me before he left for work.
The Warrior is a Child (by Twila Paris)
Lately I’ve been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I’m amazing, strong beyond my years
But they don’t see inside of me, I’m hiding all the tears
They don’t know that I go running home when I fall down
They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child.
Life is a battlefield, whether you have a teenager or not. There is a continual struggle going on around us, unseen to our eyes, unheard in our ears, but more than evident to our spirits. Do you feel shoved, kicked and bullied on a daily basis? It’s because you are–by the enemy. As Christians, we are truly warriors in this world. And as the enemy gets a stronger foothold, it seems we are being surrounded and don’t know which battle to fight first. As soon as we put out one fire with God’s help, another is lit behind us.
Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I’m amazing, I never face retreat
But they don’t see the enemies that lay me at His feet
They don’t know that I go running home when I fall down
They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child
God knows that deep inside, we are and always will be children. That’s why we are called “the children of God,” not the “adults of God.” We may look like adults, try to act like adults, and even continue to age outwardly, but in our spirits, we are children, and we can only take so much. We weren’t created to be waging a constant war; we were created to live in peace in the presence of our loving Father. This is why so many people come back from Afghanistan and other battlefields such as Syria with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s too much for anyone.
As Christians, we’re on a daily battlefield, just like those in Syria. The enemy wants to destroy us, and he has every weapon at his disposal. We need to acknowledge that we can’t do it alone, and we can’t do it without periods of rest in the presence of Jesus.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. [I shall not have need of anything.]
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)
We need to stop trying to be strong by ourselves, and run “home” to the Lord and drop our swords. When we go to Him, we will have need of nothing else, because He knows what we need:
- He will make us lie down in green pastures–even when we think we must keep going.
- He will lead us beside quiet waters, because we can’t find them on our own. He and He alone is our living water; our quiet water that restores our souls.
- He will guide us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Isn’t that where true peace lies–in the paths of righteousness?
They don’t know that I go running home when I fall down
They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for His smile
‘Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child
Run “home” to Jesus today and drop your sword for a little while. He’s got His hand outstretched to take you to that green pasture with that beautiful, mirror-like water. Close your eyes, imagine His face, and see His smile. Then let go, and let Him restore your soul.
