A Little Help, Please!
Have you ever been in a place where you just can't keep going? You want to, you know you need to, others are depending on you, but you are just too tired. You've given and given and now you are completely exhausted. This is the situation we find Moses in in Exodus 17:8-16 (NLT).
The Amalekites have attacked. Joshua and the Israelite army are fighting a battle. Moses, as the leader for the Israelite people, has climbed to the top of a nearby hill with his brother Aaron and a man named Hur. As long as Moses holds "the staff of God" up in the air in his hand, the Israelite army would be winning the battle, when it dropped, the Amalekites would gain the advantage. "Moses' arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands so his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle."
Moses knew the stakes, if he didn't continue to do his role of holding the staff, the Israelite army would lose the battle. Lives were at risk. If he faltered, people would die. You too have a critical role - mom, dad, caregiver, advocate, intermediary, decision-maker, shelter, security, guide, teacher, nurse. If you falter, your child's life or welfare may be at risk. The stakes are high. You know the pressures, I don't have to tell you about them.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you have an Aaron and Hur in your life who help when you need it?
- Do you share (gently) with others that you need help or try to do everything on your own?
- Do you accept help from others when it is offered? Why or why not?
- What type of help do you most need – practical tasks, prayer, a listening ear? Who can you approach to be your Aaron and Hur? (It may be different people for different types of tasks.)
Lord, the needs of my family are so great and beyond my ability meet. I'm tired, worn and can't do it all by myself. Please send an Aaron and Hur into my life to help hold me up and make it so I can continue on in this very important role you have given me parenting my dear child(ren).