Me to my first grader, “Always start in the ones place when adding big numbers. I know it doesn’t matter now, but it will.”
Two minutes later, “Start in the ones place.”
Thirty seconds later, “Trust me, start in the ones place.”
Interjection, “Yes, I still have to do that in 6th grade. Start in the ones place, then tens, then hundreds…”
Magically, my 1st grader listens and starts in the ones place.
Why is it so hard to trust mom?
Going outside: “It’s a little cold outside. You may want a hat.”
2 minutes later, “Mom it’s cold outside, can I get a hat?”
I could go on and on with example of my kids just not fully believing I have their best interest in mind.
I know it’s part of the learning process. I know eventually they will come to realize mom only wants what is best and has a little more experience. But right now… they just want to figure it out on their own. They might hear what I am saying… but they don’t fully listen until they see the relevance.
Oh, how much parenting has taught me about God.
Why is it so hard to trust God?
I know He has my best interest at heart. I know He will work all things out for the good of those who love him. I know He is working all things for His glory and using me…
Yet, I still want to do things my way.
I still hold on for control.
For anyone else in this situation, know you are not alone, and the Bible can offer us quite a bit of encouragement in this stage of our lives.
“Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.”
-Psalm 33:20-22
God’s love is steadfast. Never changing. No matter the circumstances found in the Book of Psalms (Praise, Thanksgiving, Lament/Sorrow, Wisdom, or Royal), a common theme runs throughout the book- God is steadfast. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The One who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).
We are His children. He loves us and desires a relationship with us. He has not changed. When Adam and Eve sinned, their relationship with God changed. But God did not change. God did not move. Adam and Eve changed- they hid.
Sometimes life gets hard, and we just want to figure things out on our own. Unfortunately, if we are not looking to God in all circumstances, it is easy to fall back on our sin nature which could cause us to separate from God… hide.
If you have been hiding. If you have felt distant, all it takes it turning around and talking to your Heavenly Father. He hasn’t moved. You have.
We can and should trust Him. He is steadfast, never changing, always and forever. And He loves you more than you could ever imagine. He is a good Father.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6