I can’t adult today. I simply can’t.

Every bit of noise was received like nails on a chalkboard.

Every whine from a child bought me that much closer to the edge.

Pregnancy and exhaustion have left me vulnerable to attack.  My defenses have been weakened.  And for a moment, instead of recognizing the situation for what it was, I succumbed and accepted the lie that I just can’t.  I was ready to give in, have a tantrum, pout and whine.  Seems like it didn’t even cross my mind to pray.

So I sent a prayer request to a friend; a friend who I don’t normally reach out to with such requests, a friend with whom I don’t normally disclose my personal battles.  But this day, I was prompted to reach out to this friend.  I’m so glad I did.

Her pray immediately redirected my focus.  Her words had me stand erect, at attention.

After her reply, I was taken aback by my initial response to the pressure. How did I not turn to prayer as my 1^st defense?  Had I forgotten to pray when I feel defeated and ready to give up? Thank God for my friend’s power packed prayer as it redirected my focus and I could regain enough footing to stand.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

And while standing, I prayed, “Oh Lord, Deliver me from the evil one. Oh Lord, that you would keep me from evil.  Lord allow me to stand my ground as he tries to approach. Let me not rest in my own ability to defeat sin and temptation, but let me be reminded that it is with your authority and through your power that I can stand against the wiles of the enemy. Lord keep me safe from the temptations that can so easily ensnare.  Open my eyes to see my vulnerabilities and weaknesses.  Lord be the compound that fills the cracks and crevices. You are the chief cornerstone, my strong tower, my defense.”

So I walked into the next day, renewed. I walked in confident that the Lord would keep the evil one from me. [bctt tweet=”When we declare the truth of God’s word, we are given an IMMEDIATE opportunity to put it into practice.” username=”inspiredfully”]

Indeed the Lord is faithful to keep the evil one from us, but are we positioning ourselves to stay out of the evil one’s way?  When the Lord CLEARLY allows us to SEE the fowler’s snare, will we circumvent it or step right into it?

Well my day that started confident and strong got fractured.  First, I drove my truck into an under ground parking garage, only to remember after hearing this terrible scraping that I had my luggage rack on the top.  I proceeded to slowly exit the garage but the damage was already done.  The top was contorted and near ripped off.  Now I was late for picking my daughter up from a test.  As I was trying to figure out how to rectify the damaged rack, she was texting and calling.  And she, being a bit of a worrywart began to get anxious.  I told her what was going on and that I’d be right there.  She then proceeds to call and tell my husband about the luggage rack.

Great, let’s complicate it even more.

I couldn’t get the container to close and surely we couldn’t drive back on the highway with it flopping in the wind.  It had to be removed.  So get the picture: a VERY pregnant me, 2 weeks from due date, standing precariously on the running board, hanging onto the top railings trying to unscrew this huge rack….Ummm, yeah.

By God’s grace we successfully get the rack off.  People walking in the parking lot gave us curious glances.  But now, where oh where would we fit this monstrosity?  This thing weighs 35 lbs., is nearly 4 feet long and 3 feet wide.  The truck already has 6 occupants and a teeny tiny trunk….You get the picture. I was tempted to leave it right there in that parking lot.  After much maneuvering and seat changes, we were able to j-u-s-t fit it into the car.  Well on that ride home, the rack was blocking my rear view, and my gas light was on.  Would I step into the snare?  I precariously teetered by it, but God reassured me to maintain my composure and to praise Him.

As I was driving on the highway, I saw something black fly off my car?  What was that?  Did it really come off my car?  Was that a piece of the rack? Hey where’s my husband’s phone?  I had it, now it’s missing.  I remember having it

IN

MY

HAND

when I climbed up to get the rack off.  Did I? Did I leave it on the car?  Needless to say, that was probably the phone as my husband went to the location  on the highway  a short time after and recovered the case but not the phone.

Seems like after all that, I was lost again and circling precipitously near the snare.  My vision was blurry.  I remembered the snare was somewhere in my vicinity.  LORD I can’t see, please don’t let me step in the snare.

Feeling slightly defeated, but not completely without hope, I cried out to the Lord who is a very present help in times of trouble.  Erica Campbell sings a song called HELP.  And that was surely my cry.  I stood, crying out, “Abba, help. Keep me from the evil one. Abba, I’m feeling weak. I don’t want to give up. Turn my ‘I can’t into an ‘I Can.”

Friend, have you ever had days where you just feel like “I can’t?”

Well God says YES YOU CAN!

His grace will empower you.  And He will keep His hand upon you and keep you from the evil one.

Don’t be discouraged.

Don’t be dismayed.

God is a very present help and He says, “Yes, you can!”

Pray for me as I’m praying for you.

As always it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

Happy to connect with these friends sharing the Good News Mommy Moments, #LifeGivingLinkup, Purposeful Faith, Grace & Truth