Matthew

I share this from my personal journal. I was watching HGTV this morning (The Lord works in mysterious ways). The homeowner was showing some improvements he had done to his home and some plans he had for the future to the host of the show. Normally children aren't in these shows but there was Matthew. He liked to be called Matt. Matt was about 5 years old and showing the improvements to the yard just as much as his father was. He was very well spoken for a little boy of his age and a nice looking kid. In fact he was so normal I didn't notice his abnormality.

The host of the show asked Matthew if he would show them the porch. Matthew, not waiting for anyone, grabbed the wheels to his wheelchair and got moving towards the porch. Neither strong, adult male, one being his father, noticed the boys effort or offered to help. Matthew reached an incline in the side walk, paused for a moment, took a breath and started wheeling himself again. When Matthew reached his destination the men started talking about the porch. His Dad was there waiting for him but not going on without him. His Dad then said some gentle and encouraging words to Matthew, telling he was proud of him and how strong of a boy he was.

That's when I got it. Matt's father wasn't helping him because Matthew has to learn to be strong. A fathers job is not to do everything for our children but to encourage them to carry on even when it's tough. The love of the Father is evident to us. I think sometimes we are tempted to wonder why God won't help us out, but he's there. He's with us and he cares for us. He lets us struggle because well...life is struggle.