I don’t know!

Let me clarify- I am not a parent. I would love to be, one day, but still kinda working on the “get married” part of that equation. But oddly enough, for now, part of my job as a pediatrician is to spend all day listening to parents about their parenting problems. What is it exactly that I have to offer a parent other than listening empathetically?

The other day a mom came in and said her 3 yr old son didn’t want to use the potty. He actually chimed in during the appointment- “No, I don’t want to, I’m not going to!” A little bit of fear gripped my heart. What was I supposed to say? I have no idea how to potty train a 3yr old!! No clue!! Do not remember going through experience personally and don’t have a lot of friends with kids that age yet (or currently). Everything within me was thinking was “Wow, that sounds rough, good luck with that,” and running out the door!

And the number of times each day that I get hit with a question or concept or problem that I just plain don’t know the answer to or sometimes even where to find it- “what is the best brand of toothbrushes to buy for babies?” Ummm…. “If she refuses to drink milk, how much broccoli will give her the same amount of vitamin D?” Well… “I’ve been to five providers who don’t know what this is. We just need another opinion.” Yikes…. What exactly am I supposed to do with myself when I hit the edge of what I know, and sometimes, the edge of what is known, even scientifically or medically?

And then I remembered my go-to plan, and under my breath, I just started praying. And when I do, I start to remember conversations other parents had told me, something I’d read somewhere, or sometimes just think of something brand new. Because amazingly enough, God answers when we ask- even something for our job. Far too often, I think it’s all up to me. But thankfully, sometimes, I remember that where I am weak, He is strong. And that doesn’t just mean He will move in my spiritual life, that means in my everyday life He can stand in and change things.

The other day I was reading the gospels where Jesus is calmly sleeping in the boat during a huge storm (Mark 4:35-41). The disciples- many of whom were fisherman are- of course- freaking out! They have probably experienced storms before and know they can change the sails and change around the weight of the boat, but once they have reached the end of their knowledge and ability they are left with nothing but fear. So they wake Jesus up- not even asking for him to save them- just terrified. But amazingly, Jesus just speaks to the storm and it stops. But my new favorite part is their response- basically, “How did He do that? He can change things at our workplace as well as people’s sins and ailments?” See, they knew all the important tricks for their business, for the weather, for boating. They also knew they were carrying a miracle-working man of God. What they didn’t realize was that He could perform miracles at their place of work- right on the ship, right where they reached the edge of what was possible, right where they didn’t even always have the faith to believe for it. He was there.

It’s one thing to pray to God for miracles, or ask for forgiveness for sins, but what about praying for the regular, everyday things we encounter or are distracted by or are stumped by? All it takes is a little humility, and a simple prayer. And the more I ask, the more I trust for and get back a response. The more I admit I don’t know it all, the more I can actually learn. And the more I humble myself, the more God exalts himself in me.

So what about you? What are you doing in your career when you reach the end of what you know? Is it possible God might have the peace, the answer, or the wisdom you need for what you usually leave up to you?

Mark 4:40-41- Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”