Maddie Privott is from Bethany, Okla., but now lives in Nashville, Tenn., attending Trevecca Nazarene University. You can catch more of Maddie's adventures and musings about life at SUSIEmag.com inside the global sisterhood by clicking "Maddie."
I have trouble letting people do things for me. I like to prove that I can do it on my own. Opening jars is the first thing that comes to mind. I hate the moment when I have to find the nearest man and ask him to open the jelly jar for me. It makes me feel inferior for some reason. I’ll exhaust every other option before admitting, “I haven’t (grunt) got (grunt) the strength (sigh).” The grunts were the sounds of me making my final attempt. Sometimes I’ll blame it on my hands being greasy, or a cramp (Hey! It could happen, right?).
Maybe I have a complex. My mom bought one of those rubber gripper things that help. Those things were probably invented for people like me to feel a little bit stronger for a moment.
On My Own
This tendency to want to do it all on my own, often creeps into my relationship with Christ. I’m constantly assessing my thoughts and actions to see if they match with what God wants me to think and do.
Often they don’t match up. Usually this is the point where I begin to treat my problems like a jar. I try really hard to fix them. I never can. The problem is, I’m trying to remedy a problem I wasn’t meant to remedy. My intentions are good. I want to be someone who brings glory to God, but I’m trying to do it on my own. I try and will my thoughts and actions to align with Christ’s, instead of asking for His help. It’s only through Him, that I can become the woman He wants me to be. It’s something I’ll never be able to muscle my way into. Now arm wrestling on the other hand. . . . Any takers?
The word “help” is one I need to become better acquainted with. Of course He’s helping me even when I don’t ask. And for that, may I never cease saying thank Him.
Maddie Privott attends college at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. Her home is Bethany, Okla.