“Two little mice fell into a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse wouldn’t quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.”
This is a speech given by Frank Abagnale Sr. (played by Christopher Walken) in the movie “Catch Me If You Can” (one of my favorites!)
I thought I’d start with this speech as it goes very well with the theme of today’s blog.
Genesis 21 talks about Hagar’s predicament. Everything that could go wrong was going wrong in her life. In a nutshell, she was Abraham’s slave who bore him a son and was thrown out of the household along with her son with nothing but a skin of water and some bread (may I add - without prior notice!). Marginalized, disrespected, stripped of any rights. Picturize a helpless mother, crying as she realizes that she and are precious boy are going to die in the wilderness.
What is God’s response to this situation?
"17 and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
God comforted Hagar but did not let her wallow in her pitiful state. If anyone had a reason to be bitter or harbor self-pity, it was Hagar. But God would not have any of that. God lovingly comforts Hagar and encourages her by pointing out that He would make Ismael into a great nation.
However, God also FIRMLY INSTRUCTS Hagar to “Lift the boy up and take him by the hand.”
I can picturize Hagar pulling herself together as she wiped her own tears. She did not have anyone to help her stand. Alone, she walked towards her child, whom she put under a bush to die.
"19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”
She had to do it herself. She did not have help.
There is something about perseverance that God honors. Jacob “wrestled with God” and prevailed. He became Israel. Apostle Paul had a “never say die” attitude due to which the reach and impact of his ministry was unparalleled in his time. Are you downcast, discouraged on the verge of giving up? God does not want you to abandon things that you have birthed! He wants you to pull yourself together, shake off the dust and step ahead in faith. He is for you not against you. The promises and provisions lie ahead but YOU have to step towards them.
Go on then. With God, you can do this!
Cheering for you,
Mridula Pradhan
About the Author:
Wife to Danston, Mridula is a worshipper and a teacher in the body of Christ. She works in the field of data analytics and consulting in the pharmaceutical domain.
She hails from Darjeeling, India and needless to say loves her Darjeeling tea!