A prayer for those trying to make it in their own strength, written by Maggie Meadows

Cooper and read by Kelly Givens.

A couple of years ago, my toddler was becoming more and more independent.

One of her newest tricks was dressing herself, and I was thrilled about this new skill.

Last days though, it still needed a little tweaking.

One morning I heard her screaming through tears at her brother, who made her come completely

unhinged by offering to help her get dressed.

I found her stuck in a strappy tank top that she attempted to put on herself.

Arms were stuck every which way, and she was hopelessly tangled up in it.

I looked at my sweet girl sitting on the floor in a puddle of tears and frustration, and

my heart went out to her because I knew how she felt.

As I pulled her up on my lap, she buried her head in my shoulder.

I explained that we all want to do things ourselves, but sometimes we just need a little

help from someone bigger.

As those words left my mouth, I realized that I needed to hear them too.

This world tries to make us believe we are strong and independent and fully capable of

handling everything ourselves.

It tells us we don't need help, that we can and should do it all on our own.

But if that is true, then I am a failure in the world's eyes.

I get set up for my strappy tank top of a day.

I set it up just right for every part to fall into place.

But before I know it, the work strap is crossed over my mama strap, and the dinner strap

...