Proverbs 3:5 & 6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
When I was seven years old, my family moved to a small town in western North Carolina. Our first few months were spent living in a two story apartment complex just off the main highway. My little brother was two years old at the time and therefore, required much of my mother’s attention. With so many adjustments to my once mediocre little life, I was confused and had many uncertainties running through my mind. Because I kept many of my thoughts to myself, I began to put pieces of the discombobulated puzzle together all alone. My tiny fingers picked up piece after piece and formed a masterpiece all my own. After deciding that my portrait was much better than the picture being painted by my parents for me, I declared that I was running away. My mom, not one to hold back a helping hand, proceeded to assist me in packing my Mickey Mouse suitcase. She bundled me up in my best coat and hat because as she warned, “It is VERY cold outside.” I kissed my dad goodbye as he raised questioning eyes in my accomplice’s direction, set my quivering chin in a determined position, and headed out the door. As the cold air met my little button nose and my mother waved goodbye, I began to realize that I had nowhere to go. I was suddenly very lonely and scared. Slowly, with each undecided step, my puzzle began to come apart piece by piece until tears began to flow and sobs took the place of my steely confidence. I slightly remember making an “about face” and running as quickly as my little feet would carry me back toward the only place of coveted safety. I noticed through tear-fogged eyes that the light was shining through the open door and my mom was standing with outstretched arms awaiting the arrival of her very loved, only daughter. (Good job mom!)
All too often, life and circumstances leave us with so many questions until trust becomes something we only give to ourselves. That’s why when our lives begin to chart a course full of questions, we immediately take charge and steer toward what is comfortable and attainable. So when we come across the challenge to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”, we skim past it reassuring ourselves that all is well in that area. The kind of trust that God is asking for goes beyond understanding and reason. I am personally thankful for the Biblical failures and successes that we can reference for assurance during our trust tests.
- Trust begins with Peter stepping out of the boat…
- Trust begins with the Israelites leaving Egypt with excited chatter of the future’s events…
- Trust begins with Ruth remaining faithful and Rahab defying all odds…
- Trust begins when we head toward the light that shines through the open doorway… and is fulfilled with your decision to abandon your own instincts and to surrender to the One Who authors each of your days
I challenge you to begin dismantling that beautifully arranged puzzle you have created on your own and allow your tomorrows to be painted by the Master Creator.
By April Garner | Freelance Writer
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