Kids. They’re always adopting catchphrases, giving
new meaning to regular words by organizing them just so, and repeating them
over and over. Whippersnappers.
Our
kids have been saying ‘I got you’ for a while now. Or, more specifically, ‘I gotchu.’ They say it to everyone: to their friends,
their moms, even their friends’ moms.
When
a person says ‘I got you’ it means I catch your drift. I understand what you are saying. Here, I’ll help you. I’m here for you. I’m on track with you. It’s no big deal – I can do that for
you. I got you means all of these
things, and is appropriate in many situations.
I
sort of love it.
It’s
a positive thing to say, I got you. It emits
a feeling of fellowship, company, togetherness that we all crave. We all want to be seen and heard, to have
someone stand with us or catch us when we fall, lending a hand when we need
it. To be helped. There’s nothing worse than needing help and
feeling too ashamed to ask for it, or having someone ask what they can do to
help. When a person says I got you it
means don’t worry, I see what’s happening, and I know what to do. We’re in this together.
It’s
confidence. It’s positive. It’s community of the best kind – one person
who gets you, who will catch you.
The
trouble with I got you is that often, another person can’t catch us. Often, there’s not anything another person
can do to help. The world guarantees that there will be things in each of our
lives that no one can help us with. It’s
bravado and false security, really, this I got you business.
I
got you is when you want another cookie and your friend is already in the
kitchen, or when you forget your sweater in the other room. It’s not when you find out that your child
has a serious illness or if your husband decides that he doesn’t want to be
married anymore.
Or
is it?
The
Christian faith relies on God getting us, catching us when we fall,
understanding what we are going through.
For every one of our life hurts, God says “I got you.” I understand you. I’m with you.
I’m here for you.
He
gets us so much that he sent his son to die for whatever ills we bring upon
ourselves. He gets us so much that he
weeps with us and lifts us up when we fall.
Whatever trouble finds us, he can deliver us from it. No matter what it is. Every single time.
Now,
look. God does not say that he will make
our lives easier. If we go through a
major life struggle, we may have to accept that there’s not much anyone can do
about it. God won’t make it magically better
before our eyes. That’s not getting
us. We may have to work to make it
better. We might even have to sit still
and let him work within us. We may have
to lean on his understanding of our situation to get through it. He can provide us with the wisdom for what to
do, and until he does, he is there to lift us up. We just have to trust that he has us in his
care.
And
every time, he’s saying it.
I
got you.
*******
For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, Don’t be afraid. I am here to
help you.
Isaiah 41:13
I also tell you this:
If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father
in heaven will do it for you. Matthew 18:19
And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and
thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little
faith? Luke 12:28
*******
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteLove this post. Each generation slips their own slang or catch phrases into our language. The first time I heard someone say "I got you" I laughed. I like the phrase. Now, when we apply the phrase to our relationship with the Lord, that truly encompasses the meaning of "I got you." Great post!
Thank you Mary. I like that this is such a positive statement. And so much more when we see it from God's perspective.
DeleteThis is so beautiful. Thank you - it's hitting just the right place with me today. God has always got us. :)
ReplyDeleteHe does! I'm so glad that this resounded with you today, Gina. xo
DeleteMy oldest daughter says this all the time. I fully understand where you are coming from, and I love how you tied this all into God who definitely has us all in the palm of His hands at all times.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Shirley. Your comment reminded me of the kids' Sunday School song "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands!"
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