Yesterday, I watched a mini-documentary about a young boy’s “My Wish” experience. Seven-year-old Tennyson Erickson, who has been fighting leukemia for the last year, wished to meet Larry Fitzgerald, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did Tennyson get to meet his idol, but he also got to participate in a Cardinals’ practice with the entire team.

What struck me most as I watched this story unfold was the grace with which Larry Fitzgerald welcomed Tennyson into his world. At first, their meeting was a bit awkward. Tennyson is a shy, short, little boy with leukemia; Larry is a polished, tall and very muscular, professional athlete. What Larry did when they first met brought tears to my eyes. After shaking Tennyson’s hand, he got down on one knee so they could talk to each other eye-to-eye. Then, as he showed Tennyson around the Cardinals’ facilities and practice field, he talked with him as if they were teammates, not once appearing condescending or coddling. In fact, he never even mentioned Tennyson’s illness. The two warmed up together before practice started, and Larry laid down a perfect block during practice to provide an opening for Tennyson to score his first touchdown. It was a lovely little documentary – heart-warming and inspiring – and I was grateful I had seen it.

It was not until this morning that I woke up to the message God was giving me through watching that sweet relationship between Tennyson and Larry. All the while I have been practicing the principle of “surrender” through my recovery from addiction and my wish to follow Jesus Christ, I have always thought of it as surrendering to God. It was during my contemplative meditation this morning that I saw God and me as I saw Larry and Tennyson yesterday. Through the incarnation of Jesus, God has gotten down on one knee so we can talk to each other eye-to-eye. While living his life as a human and accepting me (and all others) as human, Jesus never appeared condescending or coddling. Most importantly, by surrendering himself to the cross, Jesus laid down the perfect block for me to score in this life. Therefore, when I make a commitment through prayer and action to surrender, I am not surrendering to God; I am surrendering with God.

For today, I pray to remember that in every moment of surrender, God is with me, surrendering as well.