James, Sr. was a working-class, pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps kind of guy who had little use for religion. Nevertheless, he didn’t object when his young son, James, Jr., attended church every Sunday with his mother and older sister.
One afternoon, father and son went out to lunch after a baseball game. When the food arrived, little James asked if they could thank God. Senior glared at his son.
“I bought your baseball glove. I bought your cleats. I bought us lunch. And you want to thank God?”
Junior quietly bowed his head and prayed, “Lord, thank you for Daddy.”
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. — Jeremiah 10:23
While that story is fictional, it mirrors a reality many of us know well. My own father, born during the Great Depression, prided himself on being self-reliant and self-sufficient. These aren’t bad qualities—especially when held with the right perspective—but I can still hear him saying, “Son, do you need a helping hand? Look at the end of your own arm.”
Yet in his later years, when his legendary physical strength began to fade, Dad graciously learned to lean on others. He attended church faithfully with my mother and readily spoke about his dependence on God.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.— Proverbs 16:9
Self-reliance is a noble human trait, but ultimate sufficiency rests in our Creator. When we recognize that even the strength in our arms is a gift, our pride gives way to quiet gratitude.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. — Psalm 37:23–24
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ Prayers and love.
If you enjoy micro poetry, please visit my blog, All Haiku.
Do you like family friendly short stories? Please visit my blog, Flash Fiction by David
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