I took my children and two of their friends roller skating the other day.  I wasn’t feeling like showing off my mad skills, (and totally embarrassing my children), so I just sat and watched.

There was no school that day, so there were quite a few families at the rink.  As I sat, surrounded by skaters of all ages, I was completely mesmerized for a bit. They just kept going around and around… And then, I started really looking at the skaters.

For those more experienced skaters – it seemed like they were almost flying around the rink.  They were the ones who didn’t have to focus on the mechanics of moving around on wheels – let alone just standing on them!

For the ones just learning – it looked painful.  They fell.  A lot.

Over and Over and Over and……

A little girl was there with her dad that day, and those two really caught my eye.  The girl was about kindergarten age, and it looked like it was one her first time on skates.  Every time it looked like she was going to make it a bit farther, she fell.  And every time she fell, she looked up at her papa, who was right there offering his hand to help her up.

I have no idea how many times this process repeated itself, but it was enough that, if I were her, I would have felt like giving up.  But, she didn’t.  Nor did her father get frustrated and leave her on the ground.  He just kept encouraging her and helping her up.

God’s Helping Hand

It got me thinking about how many times I’ve fallen in my faith.  It’s been way too many times to count.  And, yet, God is always there to help me up and give me encouragement.  When I fail and fall, I like to envision God like the father at the roller skating rink.  Crouching down beside me, making sure I’m not broken, then holding out a big, strong hand to help me up again.  I’m so thankful He doesn’t get frustrated and leave me on the ground.

The other day, I heard a song called, Mine, by Hollyn.  In one of the verses, she sings

Lord, you’ll be the one to pick me up                                                                                   Brush me off and call me loved

It really struck me and matched my vision of God helping me up when I fall.  (If you’re interested, head over to Amazon and download by clicking here.)

Thank and Praise Him

Pretty sure I have not said, Thank You, to God enough.  I fail and fall quite a bit.

But, a simple “Thank You” really isn’t enough.  I found Psalms 9.  In it, David wrote about praising God for His help.  Two verses that impacted me

All those who know your mercy, Lord, will count on you for help.  For you have never yet forsaken those who trust in you.                                                                                                 Psalms 9:10

and

Save me, so that I can praise you publicly before all the people at Jerusalem’s gates and rejoice that you have rescued me.                                                                                                     Psalms 9:14

To me, I read that God will help us when we call upon Him.  When we fail and fall, we need to ask for His help.  When we trust in Him and believe in Him, He will help us.  And, then, we should praise Him.

This is something I have been working on and will continue to.  One thing I started doing with the kids is the Gratitude Jar.  It has been a great way to increase awareness of how we can be grateful and praise God for all of our blessings.  (More on that soon!)

Your Thoughts

What verses have you found that give you encouragement when you fail and fall? I would love to read your ideas and if there are any songs or books that speak to you!  Can’t wait to hear from you!