It's official - I have a toddler! Breadcrumb took his first hesitant steps a few weeks back, and as I am proudly looking at his feats I can't help but marvel at the absolute trust he has in me: he knows that he can safely try to walk because at the other side of those few steps I will be waiting to catch him. Similarly, he giggles with delight as his dad pretends to drop him, because he knows he won't actually let go.
This reminds me of the story my father loved to tell about how little me stretched her hand up to him, trusting he'd walk me safely to wherever I'd want to go - and how bitterly he later on betrayed this trust. Because it's easy enough to walk a toddler through the little challenges of their little life, but then things get more complicated. So how do I make sure I don't betray Breadcrumbs trust? Is it even possible? I guess I know that I can't always prevent him from falling, but I can always be there to help him get up. But is that enough?
And then there is the obvious parallel, yet again from child and parent, to human and God: He will always be there to catch us when we fall. We actually can count on him never betraying our trust. And we should be just like Breadcrumb trustfully toddling towards Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. (Prov 3:5-6 NIVUK)
But, in general, we don't.
However, when it comes to trusting God, being a parent is a really good motivation - all those things that could happen, that you might not know how to cope with, the suddenly increased importance of your personal existence and safety because there's a little person needing you, I would have driven myself crazy with worry if I couldn't - had not learnt to - give all that over to God. The more you do it, the better you get and the less frequently you suffer from heartburn and insomnia. Trust me.
And then there is the obvious parallel, yet again from child and parent, to human and God: He will always be there to catch us when we fall. We actually can count on him never betraying our trust. And we should be just like Breadcrumb trustfully toddling towards Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. (Prov 3:5-6 NIVUK)
But, in general, we don't.
However, when it comes to trusting God, being a parent is a really good motivation - all those things that could happen, that you might not know how to cope with, the suddenly increased importance of your personal existence and safety because there's a little person needing you, I would have driven myself crazy with worry if I couldn't - had not learnt to - give all that over to God. The more you do it, the better you get and the less frequently you suffer from heartburn and insomnia. Trust me.