God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. (NLT)

Today’s sticky note says, “Don’t give up on me yet and my children!”

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Wow, what a powerful thing to say to God! Who among us with children, no matter what age, has not prayed this prayer? If I am to be honest with you, I still pray that very prayer today. But what strikes me the most about this sticky note is that the writer says, “Don’t give up on me yet.” What would prompt such a prayer to God? Is there something in their life that makes them feel hopeless? I think if we are honest with ourselves, there are times in our lives and in our walk that many of us may feel this same way. I know I have.

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When I think of this hopeless feeling, the movie The Pursuit of Happyness comes to my mind.  One particular scene I recall is when the main character, Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, and his son have just been evicted from the hotel room he was renting. With nowhere else to go, he takes his son to the subway station where they end up locking themselves inside the public restroom for the night.  As he lays on the floor with his son in his arms you can see the anguish and hopelessness on his face. But time and again throughout the movie, regardless of the situation, Chris Gardner puts his son’s needs before his own. He protects him, shows him love and tenderness, and even encourages him by telling him to never let anyone tell him he can’t do something, even him. The movie is about perseverance, never giving up, having faith and love, and finally, caring for your children.

It's not a news flash that life can be so hard at times. For many there is illness, financial strains, marital and relationship issues, and work tensions. For others, it may be wondering where you’re going to get the money to feed your children or put gas in your vehicle to get to work. Then there are some who find themselves trying to choose between what bills to pay each month and still make it. It would seem so easy to give up on yourself and to feel like God has given up on you. But he hasn’t. Just like Chris Gardner was for his kid, God is there for us and our children. He makes a promise to us just like he made to Isreal in Isiah 41:10: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged because I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  

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As bleak and as hopeless as life can feel at times, when we have given up on ourselves and think God must surely have given up on us a well, know that he hasn’t! God’s promises are real, and they are eternal. He will never give up on us, not now and not ever.  

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There is a song by Hillsong called “Yet.” The very first verse is “God, don’t give up on me yet.” Like the song’s lyrics, cry out to him to not give up on you and know that he will make what you ask happen, for he who calls us is faithful.  

Heavenly Father, don’t give up on me yet… I know that I fail you and that I lose my way from time to time, but I need you, and my children need you. I cry out to you, Father, because I cannot do this without you.  Please, Father, I pray, don’t give up on me yet, don’t give up on me ever.  In your Son’s name I pray, amen.