In many ways, I had a happy childhood. My parents weren’t high on drugs or booze; they loved each other and provided well for my brother, sister, and me. Our neighborhood had lots of kids to play with. And I did. No major arguments or disputes with parents hating or suing each other. None that I knew of.

Most neighbors were Jewish, as was true of my elementary school. I was the token Christian, even though I knew little about what it meant to be such, except that I wasn’t Jewish. Seventy+ years later, I’m still in contact with some of those ‘kids’ from the South Mountain Elementary School neighborhood of Millburn, New Jersey. And I’m still Johnny to those dear friends!

We played all sorts of outdoor games. Whiffle ball. ‘Not It’. Leap frog. Hide and seek. Stickball on the street pavement outside our homes, where we’d yell ‘car, car, c…a…r’ for oncoming traffic. And then that game, which I thoroughly despised. Dreaded playing every time. Tried to get out of it if I could. And rarely did. What was it? Pin down!

You know the game? Have to pin someone down on the ground, on all fours, making them say ‘Uncle’, with whoever stayed immobilized and trapped losing the game. I lost every time. And so-called neighbor kids must have sensed that I was in panic mode, pinned down and restrained, for they wouldn’t let me up, no matter how many times I yelled ‘Uncle’! Bunch of meanies! I take it all back about that idyllic childhood stuff!

In Psalm 143, King David pleads with the Lord to get him out of a tight spot, where he finds himself confined, weak, and just plain powerless. Like how I felt playing ‘pin down’ except on a much grander scale–‘For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!’ (Ps. 143: 11). It’s that Hebrew word ‘trouble’ that reminds me of ‘pin down’. It means hedged in. Unable to get up and walk. Stuck. Helpless. Possibly how I felt as a two-year-old with paralytic polio? You think so? I do.

When we feel up against the wall with some insurmountable troubles, do what King David does–‘Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness’ (Ps.143: 1). Plead with your God. Lay it all out before Him. At His feet, knowing how good and loving He is.

Like He doesn’t know all about it, anyway? Catches Him offguard? Shocked and speechless? Not quite. Not at all. So, why bother? That’s easy. Because He loves the relationship He has with us. Our Lord cherishes our closeness. That we hang on His every word. Believe Him as if our life depends upon it. And it does. So, like any other relationship, talk it out. Even better, hold nothing back. Know how much God cares.

Then see what your Lord does. Wait on Him, and for once (talking to myself), mean it. Relax, already. When the Lord says to cast our burdens on Him, then, by all means, do it. And stop trying to fish them back. That’s hard for me too. You’re probably much more patient. Or are you?

Isn’t it time to trust Jesus? Why wait a second longer? Any old time will do. How about right now?

Lord Jesus, hold my hand as I lean in closer to you. Thank you. Amen.