These days of sunshine have brought us back outside to play and we’re loving it. The past week has found us in the driveway shooting baskets. It was one of our favorite pastimes with our own children and our two granddaughters are beginning to find enjoyment in it as well.

The hoop is now dropped to its lowest setting as the girls are only eight and recently turned four. Sophia is using a girls’ basketball and Jocelyn a smaller junior sized as her hands are smaller.

She did not want anyone showing her how to shoot as she reminded me, “I a big girl now”. Yet when trying repeatedly with no success, and becoming frustrated, she finally let me give her a few tips. I moved her just a little closer to the hoop, instructed her on how to aim and shoot, and stood to watch. I have been amazed at the staying power Jocelyn has in her. She kept at it until she finally got one in. She kept on shooting until she was able to get several in a row.

This morning I sit with these words before me:

“They did not conquer the land with their swords,
It was not their strong arm that gave them victory.
It was your right hand and strong arm
and the blinding light from your face that helped them
for you loved them.”
(Psalm 44:3, NLT)

So often we can rely on our own strength and abilities to achieve a goal. Yet even well equipped and strong, God’s people were not able to obtain victory on their own.

We can check off every box and still be missing it.

Shooting baskets with Jocelyn has reminded me of a few things:

• Ask for help. Only when she had tried repeatedly and come to the point of giving up, did Jocelyn ask for help. Let’s shorten the struggle and ask for His help quickly.
• Rely on God. Much the way, Jocelyn needed a little coaching in order to make a basket, we need to rely on God to show us what we are to do.
• Admit our shortcomings. It’s OK to say, “I can’t do it!” It is at this point our God steps in and shows us what He is able to do for us.

That day in the driveway, I wanted to help Jocelyn achieve a basket. After getting four in a row, she remarked, “I made four because I four. Mimi, you’re a genius!”

And that is when I learned the lesson a little more fully ….

As we trust God to do what only He can do, we discover the greatness of our God in ways we would not have known otherwise. He wants us to know the blessing of success and victory He can bring to our lives as we trust in Him.

And He helps us out of His great love for us.

Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Women With Intention .