My grandchildren are on their way to becoming good skaters. Confident and eager, they know the ropes, so I was just barely present in the semi-circle of parents and grandparents as we listened to the coach’s instructions before the kids hit the ice. I could easily have missed his words:
“If you feel like you’re falling, bend your knees.”
Huh?
How did he know that my list was too long, my day was too short, and my minutes too few? Well, obviously he was not talking to me. He was giving the kids instructions for keeping their feet under them on the ice, but he had captured my attention, too, especially as he went on to remind them of what NOT to do.
“Remember the little dance I showed you?”
Here, he shuffled his skates in a mock pre-fall comic routine.
“If you feel like you’re falling, don’t try to catch yourself.”
Ahh . . . yes, I’ve never skated, but I know that dance. I’ve choreographed it, performed it, lived it, and been bone tired from the heaviness of its rhythms, because here’s the truth:
“The Dance” does not keep me from falling. I cannot catch myself. That is God’s job.
The skating coach in his warm winter hat had spoken the truth:
If you think you’re falling, bend your knees. Don’t try to catch yourself.
The theology of God’s keeping is actually a lot like a dance. It’s not all that different from a skating routine. In order for me to be “kept” by Him, I have to let Him do the keeping.
Let God Keep You from Falling
God is not asking you to single-handedly plan a VBS, execute elaborate parties for your children, or maintain a spotless house. He is not impressed by heroic efforts or long days or endless lists.
He wants you to bend your knees. He wants you to relax into the rhythm of his keeping.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy . . .
Jude 24
His work on the cross initiated the keeping power, and he invites you to place your trust in him–and to DIS-place your trust in your competence, your youthful appearance, or your “perfect” children.
Every day, this is the lived reality of the child of God:
For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
Psalm 116:8
God’s message to busy mums, stressed-out grandmothers, and frazzled single women is the same: Staying on your feet is really all about grace. Jesus’s earthly ministry was lived within the press of a crowd, the tug of urgent demands, and the frustration of being misunderstood.
His teaching and his stories were centered around domestic things — seed, livestock, and strong-willed sons. Spectacular miracles of healing required only an extended hand, a poultice of mud and spit, or a full water jar.
Remembering his “mundane faithfulness” keeps the routines of my own life from becoming so oppressive. Bending the knee in prayer and recalling the power of God to keep me upright lifts the load.
Truth becomes a shovel for digging away the rubble of self-condemnation, a rope to pull me out of my wallowing, a kick in the seat of the pants when I’m waiting around for God to hand over the life and the circumstances I think I deserve.
Bend your knees, stop the dance, and let the grace of God keep you on your feet.
Holding You in the Light,
God is not impressed by heroic efforts or long days or endless lists. He wants you to relax into the rhythm of his keeping. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling…” (Jude 24)
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Thank you for this Michele. You spoke right into my life at just the right time. You are a blessing!
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I appreciate your input and your time spent reading here!
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You have a real gift for taking everyday moments and insights and giving them such deeper meaning!
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I’m grateful for the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. He’s the megaphone!
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Thank you Michelle. This is the perfect message for me. I was trained to use my knees when lifting.
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Absolutely true!
I admit that I don’t “use my knees” as much as I should.
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As a (recovering) perfectionist and over-achieving mom,I find my days too short and my to-do list too long. Thank you for such a timely reminder that it isn’t about us, and what we can accomplish, but about Jesus
and His grace. Your words are such an encouragement to us younger women in the early years of motherhood. Thank you and many blessings in Jesus!
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It sounds as if God has given you discernment into the heart of the problem. Thanks for reading and for your insight!
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Insightful as always, Michele. You are so right: “Bending the knee in prayer and recalling the power of God to keep me upright lifts the load.” With a lifetime of experience behind me I can affirm the truth of your statement. Many a prayer for “Help!” has been answered, and God has kept me upright under load upon load over the years!
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Those “help me!’ prayers are a lifeline, for sure! It’s good to remind ourselves that he hears us when we call out to him from underneath a load–and then gets under the load alongside us!
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What great advice! I’m going to have to ponder on it and let it seep into my soul.
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Honored to be pondering alongside you, Heather!
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Oh how I can relate to this today Michele!
Thank you & blessings my friend,
Jennifer
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I’d love to hear more. Exactly what is connecting with your life today?
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Concerns for loved ones. Thank you for your concern Michele 💕
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Such a beautiful blog, Michelle! Thank you for sharing these words of encouragement and trust with us. It is so valuable to remember to relax into the rhythm of His safekeeping. Thank you again for sharing this beautiful message.”
And here’s a quote by Susannah Spurgeon: “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.”
Lots of Love,
Aritha
https://kostbaar.blogspot.com/
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What an amazing quote, Aritha!
And I so appreciate your kind response.
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I am not a skater, either, but what an apt illustration. Back in college, my then-boyfriend broke his wrist trying to break a fall while playing soccer. The doctor said many attempts to break a fall by throwing out an arm to catch ourselves end up with a broken wrist or arm.
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Ha, that’s practical advice! Those limbs were not designed to catch us, and neither were so many of the God-substitutes we employ!
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[…] Staying on Your Feet is Really All About Grace. “God is not asking you to single-handedly plan a VBS, execute elaborate parties for your children, or maintain a spotless house. He is not impressed by heroic efforts or long days or endless lists. He wants you to bend your knees. He wants you to relax into the rhythm of his keeping.” […]
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This>>”If you think you’re falling, bend your knees. Don’t try to catch yourself.” Is true indeed. That is a wonderful reminder for us all may we always keep that in mind. May we get on our knees and pray and let God catch us in his soft, warm, loving arms when we fall. This is just beautiful.
Thank you bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
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I’m grateful to relinquish all the self-salvation strategies that used to characterize my walk with Christ!
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I love this advice, Michele! It reminds me to give up my pride in my competence, it means falling on my knees to pray, it means letting God catch me! Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day to you!
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I’m aware of my risky dependence on my competence, productivity, etc. Bad decision! All that is so temporary–but my value remains. What grace!
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