What My Ambidextrous Daughter Taught Me
We have always noticed Justine alternately using her right and left hand; may it be for writing, coloring, using the scissors, or doing anything that requires the use of her hands. She will be turning four years old in a couple of months and I don't know if it's too early to tell if she is ambidextrous. I've also been trying to assess if I should "correct" her by making her choose just one hand or not.
To help me make that decision I one day asked her, while she's coloring pages on her coloring book, "Justine, why do you keep on switching hands when you color?"
And she answered, "Because my other hand is tired." "It needs a rest noh."
Once again, my daughter became my teacher.
It's ok to feel tired.
And it's ok to admit when we are tired.
As I grow older, it has become difficult for me to say that "I'm tired" or "I need rest" or "I need help"
One of my reason is our competitive culture that feeds both our insecurities and ego. Therefore, feeling tired is something most of us are not willing to admit.
People depend on us.
People look up to us.
We have responsibilities to fulfill.
We have loved ones we want to make proud.
We have families to support.
We have images to protect.
We have so much to prove.
The list goes on.
But more than anything, the reason why we don't want to show and admit that we are tired or we need rest or help is because we like to play God.
We want to be the god of our lives.
We want to be the god of other people.
We want to be the god of our circumstances.
Hard to swallow but that attitude is what stops us from taking a breather and admitting that we need rest and we need help. It's also the reason why there are people who refuse to depend on God or to believe in God.
The Lord gave Justine two hands. This is a privilege not everyone has. And if she feels her hand is tired and needs the help of the other one then "correcting" her to fit the standards of our society will make me fail as a parent. As her mother, I must "bring her up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Colossians 3:21)
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Just like Justine's two hands, God has been providing us help, support, and many things to make us endure and carry on. But we have been refusing Him. Even as Christians, we have been unconsciously rejecting the One who gave Himself to us ever so freely. Feeling tired doesn't mean we are weak or we don't have the capacity to fulfill our duties and purpose. We can! All we need to do is turn to Him. When we can no longer go on, He is always there to continue and even finish for us.
It's ok to feel tired. It's ok to admit that there are things that are beyond our strength. It's ok to Let Go and Let God.
So from time to time, learn how to rest and come to Jesus. Give Him your concerns and rest in His presence.