Oh what a friend we have in Him

"No, Mommy, I'll do it!"
" I'll take her diaper, Mommy!"
" I'll feed her, Mommy."
" I'll choose her outfit for today, Mommy." (This one can be particularly dangerous).
These are all quotes I hear from my oldest nearly everyday. She loves doing things herself, especially when it comes to her role of big sister (a role that she takes very seriously).
It was no different when we would take almost daily walks with the youngest in the stroller before she was a walker. I would insist on holding onto the stroller handles too, but the brunt force of my oldest was sometimes hard to control, so, off we would veer from the smooth concrete sidewalk to the bumpy, sometimes red anthill ridden grass.
On a particular day while trying to be a big girl and do everything herself, my oldest ended up tripping and falling onto the grass (thank goodness not into an anthill) causing tears and a scraped knee. Without hesitation I picked her up and while pushing the stroller headed back on course and back home.
This event has stuck in my mind and I often go back to it when I find myself fighting the here and nows. Why do we live so far from most of our family and friends? Why did that event happen? Why did my husband have such a bad day at work? Why aren't our prayers being answered?
I often think of struggling with my oldest to keep her on the main path of our walks and have realized that my daughter isn't the only one who wants to do everything herself. I often think I have the right answer when it comes to prayers; where we should be right now, and who the people should be surrounding us.
I am sure the Man upstairs sees me much as I see my child, trying with sometimes all my might to do things my way and thinking I know what I'm doing and where the path leads. If only I would give a looser grip and let Him take control of the handles (he has the better view after all) it would be a whole lot easier to stay on course and avoid the anthills of life.
Easier said than done. The good news is though that even when I (or you) trip and fall He doesn't think twice (just like any parent wouldn't) of picking us up and continuing on our walk.