Forks for Spoons (Shea Pirtle)

The other night at supper time, my daughter sat down at the table to indulge in her bowl of hamburger stew. In her rush to get started, she grabbed a fork instead of a spoon. She lifted the fork to her mouth for a first bite, looked at it with a sigh, and then did something so simple: she got up from her seat, set her gently used fork in the sink, and grabbed a spoon. Easy peasy, right?

Girl. How often do we find ourselves needing to trade out our “forks” for “spoons”? Don’t close the page yet. I promise I have a point. 

Sometimes, we dive into situations using tools and approaches that don’t quite fit and certainly don’t honor the Lord. If we’re honest, it’s usually out of convenience and haste. We may even recognize the unsuitable decision right away but hesitate to change, thinking, “Maybe, just maybe, I can make this work.” Sometimes the change would actually mean more work, so you suck it up, Buttercup, til you’re simply hanging on by a thread.

But just as she put down the wrong tool with no fuss, no wrestle, we’re also invited to do the same. James 1:5 provides a freeing revelation that we must put into action- when we lack wisdom, we can ask God. Our gracious God doesn’t find fault in us for needing help. Read that again, sis! He desires us to lean on Him and trust His provision, not on our own efforts. And I love that He doesn’t stop at simply providing enough. God gives generously. We don’t have to struggle in frustration when we realize we’re not equipped for a task that’s before us. We can go to a God that cares, set down our “fork,” and let Him provide what we need.

Sis, if you find yourself holding the wrong “utensil”—whether it’s a mindset, a habit, an opinion, or a plan that doesn’t fit the circumstance you’ve found yourself in—know it’s okay to lay it down and seek God’s help. In fact, there’s no better way then to seek His guidance before you settle with your own. He’s always ready to hand us His wisdom or the perfect “spoon” for the moment, if we’re willing to humble ourselves and ask. So ask Him, sis, and be ready to receive!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your generous wisdom and patience with Your children. Help us to recognize when we are holding on to something that isn’t helpful. Give each of us the courage to set it aside and exchange it for Your guidance. Remind Your daughter that You are always ready to give her every need for every moment. In Jesus’ name we ask these things. Amen.