"If You Can Do Anything"

"If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

"Immediately the boys father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:22-24).

How often have we said the same things to God whether out loud or in our own heads? We look at our circumstances and try to reason in our own minds a plausible solution. When we can't figure out how to overcome the problem within our own means or by the help of others, then we finally look to God and say "If you can, help me...if you can find it in your heart, God to have pity on me, then please help." And then, even after the "amen" we doubt not so much in God's ability to accomplish a miracle but we doubt his interest in our problem. We doubt his interest in us.

My husband & I have been living a miracle for the past four weeks. His wrist that was so badly crushed after he fell on the ice, is healing perfectly without surgery. The doctor has admitted it's a miracle and there is no explanation for the perfect alignment of the bones. Yet, circumstances we face in other areas of our lives have us doubting (again) in God's interest in us. We've been guilty of saying to Jesus, "IF you can do anything, take pity on us. I'm sure we've exasperated him. I can even picture him sitting with his elbows on his knees and slapping his forehead with one hand saying, "You don't get it! You ignorant people! How much more do you need to see to be convinced of my love for you and my power and authority in you?! 'IF I CAN?!' Are you kidding me?!"

And so, I am humbled in reading this passage in Mark 9:14-32 and pray, "Lord, forgive me. 'I do believe; help me overcome my disbelief.'"