This is the story of seven very lovely ladies and an elderly matriarch … elderly matriarch … that would be me. Seven lovely ladies … those would be my girls. Throw in a brave son-in-law, and you have the making of an interesting reality show.

Let’s discuss Karlie, who was 2 at the time. A bike with training wheels awaited her on the deck. Since it was her first time to pedal on one of these contraptions, her experienced cousin, Lauren, somewhat patiently shared the finer points of cycling.

After a bit of coaching, going forward wasn’t a problem. It was all the stuff on the deck that was a drag. Karlie would be hitting a good pace, and boom she’d bang into a chair and end up spinning her wheels. Happy was not a word in her vocabulary. Through gritted teeth she impatiently cried, “I can’t take it anymore. I need a break!”

Now Maddie was only 10 months old at the time. She was on the verge of getting the hang of walking upright. She’d been limited to crawling or an available person. That’s way too limiting for a girl who has two older sisters to bug. So Aunt Kasie and I sat on the floor encouraging Maddie to take the plunge into toddling. With a little coaching we got our baby in high gear. By the time it was time for us to go home she was up to five or more steps from the stairs to the deck and laughing all the way. There’s no keeping up with her now. Her momma, said, “Thanks. I can’t take it anymore. I need a break!”

Finally, Sadie, also age 2 took to the friendly skies on a flying tire horse. “Push me higher. Higher, Daddy!” My stomach did flip flops just watching. I hollered to all of them, “I can’t take it anymore. I need a break!”

Now that’ll preach. Pedaling, walking, flying. Don’t you feel that some days demand that you do all three? There are moments when I feel like I’m all hung up and stuck and I feel like screaming, “I can’t take it anymore. I need a break!” It makes you wonder why we left the safety of the arms of the one carrying us.

Then I remember God desires that we walk uprightly. God desires that we keep pedaling. He desires for us to soar the heights. And the moment we say, “I can’t take it anymore, I need a break,” He scoops us up. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

You can do it! Walk, pedal, fly, my friends!

(Kandi Farris, a freelance correspondent, is also a speaker on matters of faith and values.)