Props

When Aliyah was first born we were of the mind that we were going to be a "no pacifier family." We didn't like the idea of our kid running around with it in her mouth and us having to break her of that habit. That lasted all of the car ride home from the hospital when she was screaming in the back seat. We quickly discovered that she had a very strong sucking need...and when she started going for her thumb, we decided that we'd rather break her of the pacifier than try to break her of that. Although the pacifier has been a wonderful thing for her to have during those first few months; we have discovered some pitfalls too; the main one being that if the baby becomes dependent on it to sleep, then every time they wake up and no pacifier, then the parent has to go in and put it back in her mouth. After a couple days of that, I have decided that it's time to break her of her "prop."

This got me thinking about how easy it is for us to fall into the same trap in so many ways. It starts out innocently enough but it doesn't take long for an addiction to form and for us to be dependent on our own "prop." With infants, the first 3-4 months there is a "need" to suckle...it's a natural thing that God placed in them so that they would learn to eat and to soothe themselves. But there comes a point when that need changes to a habit. This is the stage that Aliyah has reached...the need has become a habit because she has not developed a way to soothe herself without using a "prop". As the months have gone by the more and more she seems to want that "prop" in her mouth....it's not just at bed time anymore.

The same thing happens with adults. When something happens and we have a "need" to be soothed in some way so we each find something that works for us (food, alcohol, entertainment, exercise, etc.) At the beginning, when done in moderation, it's really not a problem, but when it changes from a need to a habit, we're in trouble....we've become addicted to a "prop" to get us through. Then we become obese, anorexic, an alcoholic, or we just checkout and disengage with constant distraction.

There is on "prop" that is good for us to have...and He's more than just a "prop". Jesus wants us to find our fulfillment, satisfaction, and comfort in Him. He wants us to bring our burdens to Him so He can take them and make our burden light (Matthew 11:29-30). He wants us to turn our eyes off of our situation and look for His help (Psalm 121:1-3). There will never be a time when it is bad to have Jesus as your "prop", but really, He's more than that....He's our only hope in time of need. He's the one who carried our sorrows, was bruised for our sin (Isaiah 53: 4-5). He is the God that can heal, He is the one who loves us even in our weakest moment.

I am reminded of my NEED for Him and my DESIRE to lean into His Mercies and His Grace. I really do want to be "addicted" to Jesus....YES JESUS...BE MY "PROP". I HAVE NEED OF THEE!