Struggles

Have you ever struggled when doing something? The first few times we do something, we struggle. It might be tying our shoes or riding our bikes without training wheels. At first, it’s difficult, but with practice we get better.

For some, it was throwing strikes, speaking in front of people or learning an instrument. We all struggle with doing things even if we have done them before. I still struggle when I write sermons.

I mention this because in our Gospel today (Mark 6:45-56), the apostles struggled against the wind as they rowed their boats across the sea. They had done this many, many times, but in this case, they struggled.

In this case, the Lord Jesus appeared. He came to them when they did not expect it. He joined them in their boat, and the wind stopped. They were able to continue rowing their boat.

Has God ever come to you in your struggles? Maybe God didn’t prevent you from falling off your bike or help you throw strikes. Maybe there are times when He has or will help you when you are having trouble understanding your Faith. Maybe you need help understanding your part in God’s Kingdom or your family. Maybe God comes to your parents when they struggle to provide for you or help you when you are having problems.

Like the apostles in the boat, God does come to us when we are not expecting it. When we struggle, we need to ask God for help. In fact, even when we are not struggling, we still need God’s help because God is the One who gives us the ability to make the difficult tasks seem easy. With that, let us pray.

Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.