The Difference One Pronoun Can Make

In the past few years I’ve been forced to use the first-person singular pronoun “I” more often than I like. When my husband was living, my pronoun of choice was often the first-person plural, “we.” My husband and I made most of our decisions together. When one of us had a problem, we usually worked on it together. I’m sure I referred to “Me, myself, and I” plenty, but when it came to the important stuff, it was usually a “we” conversation.

But since he died and my son left the nest, I find myself using the first-person singular a lot more often. Like the other day when I worried my prayer to God.

“What am I going to do, God? What do you want me to do?”

I thought I was asking for wisdom and guidance. But God offered me something different and far better.

Don’t you mean, ‘What are we going to do?’ He seemed to ask. I’m in this with you, child. I don’t mean for you to do it alone!

What a difference a pronoun can make. I knew right away what God was inviting me to. He was offering me a Matthew 11:29-30 experience—to be yoked with Him, to work alongside Him, in harmony with Him, trusting Him to supply the wisdom, strength, and courage for what lay ahead. And as I do this, to enter His deep soul rest.

Obviously, the situation I was praying about did not simply evaporate. But God showed me that I have a choice. I can be anxious and overwhelmed, fretting about a future I cannot control—clearly that’s one option. Or, I can choose to believe that God has got this. He goes ahead of me, and with me, and behind me. I do not have to figure it all out. I just have to stay close to Him. He has opinions about this situation, and He knows what’s best to do. When I actually need to do something, He will let me know my part.  In the meantime, He invites me to be still and know that He is God because we are going to do this together.