Today, something wild happened.
We were at a local community event—good people, good vibes, and really good food. I’m talking hamburgers, hot dogs, all the fixings. And I was hungry—not just “snack” hungry—I mean ready to demolish a plate hungry.
So there we are, going through the line, loading up our plates. Mine was full, and I was excited to finally sit down and eat. But every table with a chair was taken. I spotted some single chairs off to the side—not ideal for eating, but when you’re hungry, any seat will do.
I headed over, plate in hand, and went to sit down… except I didn’t realize the chair was tilted just slightly backward. It looked fine, but as I plopped down—yep, you guessed it—I started falling straight back. And all I could think about in that split-second moment of doom?
“How do I save this food?”
Seriously. Not, “Am I about to get hurt?” or “Is anyone watching?”—just “Don’t let the food hit the ground!”
The Power of the Fall
It was one of those slow-motion moments. And when I realized I had no control, I just surrendered. There was nothing I could do. No way to stop the fall. I had to go with it and trust that whatever happened, happened.
And isn’t life like that sometimes?
We try to hold it all together. We grip onto our plans, our image, our future… but then something tilts. Something slips. And the fall begins. That’s when surrender becomes not just an option—but the only option.
From Addiction to Obedience
As funny as the story is, it reminded me of a much more serious fall I had years ago—my 19-year battle with addiction. I tried to fix it. Tried to control it. But it wasn’t until I fully surrendered to God—when I said, “Lord, I can’t do this. Take it.”—that things began to shift.
I still remember that moment. God told me, “Give me 30 days.” It sounded crazy at the time, but that was my obedience. And during those 30 days, something broke—and I’ve been clean ever since. That surrender became my freedom.
“Every miracle in the Bible was preceded by obedience.”
What the Fall Taught Me
So, back to the chair.
I hit the ground. The food went flying—literally flew over me. But somehow, it didn’t touch me. I didn’t get hurt. And to top it off? They had more food, and I got a second plate.
Lesson? Most of the time, what we’re afraid of doesn’t even happen.
📖 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6-7
📖 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Takeaways from the Fall
1. Surrender is where faith grows.
When you stop resisting the fall and trust God, you find peace in the freefall.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
2. God already sees the ground.
While we panic mid-fall, He knows the outcome. I saw disaster coming. God had a second plate waiting.
3. Your story matters—even the awkward or painful parts.
That fall gave me a reminder. That addiction gave me a testimony. Both gave me purpose.
4. Live on purpose, not with regret.
They say there are two days that matter most: the day you’re born and the day you figure out why. I believe your “why” comes alive when you give your yes to God.
📖 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you…” – Jeremiah 29:11
📖 “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” – Ephesians 2:10
Final Thought
Don’t be afraid of the fall. Don’t fight it. Surrender to it—and trust that God is still in control. Even if the chair breaks, even if the plate spills, even if the plan changes… He’s already worked it all out.
And hey—you might just walk away with a full plate and a better story.