I learned what dependence looks like a few years ago when I decided to bring my two kids under age 2 to story time at the library. It all went fine until the last few minutes when the baby got hungry, I started to feed him, the librarian pulled out the familiar duck puppet to sing the goodbye song, and in a flash my toddler was running out the open doors in a mob of kids. In a panic, I ran to catch him before he ran out into the parking lot. I caught him by the doors, but he collapsed into a huge toddler tantrum. It was all I could do to just hang on to him and hold my fragile newborn under my nursing cover. I was stuck there.
Another mom came over to me and asked, “Do you want me to help you get your stuff?” I thought of my diaper bag disaster back in the story room—water bottles and open snacks, a heavy car seat, my phone, and my keys. I’m not great at accepting help, but I had no other choice. I was completely dependent on her. I didn’t even know her first name. She sacrificed her time and went with her son to get our things while I calmed my toddler down. Then she made sure my kid didn’t run off while I got the baby into the car seat, and she walked with us to the car.
I learned a few things that day. Number 1, be ready to go as soon as the librarian pulls out the duck puppet. Number 2, it’s hard to be dependent on others. And it’s especially hard to be dependent on God.
As adults, we like to think we can handle anything that comes our way. We’re self-sufficient, independent, and responsible—and it’s good to be a responsible adult, don’t get me wrong. But when we experience moments of complete dependence, we are reminded of our ultimate dependence on God.
Jesus said,
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)
He pointed to the humble dependence that children have on their parents and caretakers. But we forget that we are actually children of our heavenly Father—children who are completely dependent on God, trusting in our good Father to care for us, and trusting that He loves us always.
God sacrificed everything for us in sending His Son to be our Savior. He held nothing back, giving up His very life to give us forgiveness and life forever with Him. All that we have comes from Him, and all that we need can be found in Him too. He holds all our days in His hand, and nothing we claim to own is really ours to begin with.
As much as we’d like to think we are self-made men and women, we’re not. Jesus says in John 15:5,
Apart from Me you can do nothing.
We depend on God for everything. And we can depend on Him with complete trust that He will never leave us.
As we stand in awe of His sacrifice and realize our full dependence on Him, we are led to a deep gratitude.
What do you think I said over and over to that mom at the library? “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I had nothing else to offer. Though after being the recipient of such generosity, I try to offer others the help that I once received from her.
Christ’s sacrifice makes us realize our utter dependence on Him for salvation. And in this state of dependence, all we can do is thank Him. We can’t repay Him, but we can offer ourselves in gratitude to God and in loving service to our neighbor. We can give without expecting anything in return—no praise, no future favors, no recognition. We can sacrifice our time, care, and resources to people who don’t really deserve it, because we know we don’t deserve all that God has done for us. We can thank God every day, no matter our circumstances.
As we enter into these last two months of the year, remember what being thankful is all about. It means praising God for His sacrifice, realizing our dependence on Him for every good gift, and living lives of gratitude in love for our neighbor.
Scripture: ESV®.
Help your family grow in trust and gratitude this month. Download the Everyday Faith Calendar for daily Bible verses, prayer prompts, and simple ways to remember God’s faithful care.