My daughter and I have a set routine at bed time. Sometimes she needs to get back up after we’re settled into bed and all the lights are off – and I’m too tired to get back up with her. When this started happening, I told her to go, and I’d turn on the flashlight on my phone for her. I’m not even sure why this thought crossed my mind that it would be funny to turn off the light and see what would happen. It might be funny to an adult, but it wouldn’t be to a four year old who’s just trying to figure her way out. Something told me that was a bad idea, and I never did it. I diligently hold up the lighting for her, no matter how tired my arm gets. I’m building trust with her.
We recently had an episode where she was complaining of a headache. I know that headaches in children are not to be toyed with, and while she seemed ok, after much complaining on her part, and much asking to ensure she really had a headache on my part, I took her to the doctor. After the doctor examined her thoroughly, he declared she was fine and did not have anything serious. I knew that she was ok, but if she had a serious complaint, she needed to know that I took it seriously enough that I would do something about it. Needless to say, that night at bed, we read to story ‘The boy who cried wolf’ and explained to her what it meant. I’m teaching her to build trust with me.
Over the course of the last few weeks, I’ve woken up with Proverbs 3:5-6 in my mind. It states: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will direct your path, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
God wants to show us that we can trust Him. Imagine if I think I’m doing the right things for my daughter by doing what I say and keeping my word to her? God has assured us that we can trust Him. There are so many verses surrounding Trust in the Bible. I learned that repetition is used for emphasis. I think God in His infinite wisdom constantly repeated how much we needed to trust Him because there would be times when we forgot. But I’m learning that when I’ve forgotten and start questioning my future, all I have to do is look back at my past and see how God carried me when I didn’t even know how.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are a father who we can trust. Whatever you’ve told us, you’ve brought to fruition. Help us to continue to trust you through your unfailing love.