TRUST #24: Allowing Our Son to Go and Do

As I look at the photo above (taken in 2008), I see my 5-year-old son, JJ, and smile. He was so little then, and was so dependent on me and David. We knew he could have easily fallen and gotten hurt while playing on this playground equipment; but we also knew we needed to allow him this time of play. Why? Because, as he was having fun playing, he was also developing a range of much-needed skills. He was developing motor skills, coordination, creativity, confidence-building, and independence - all necessary skills that have helped him learn, grow, and engage in the world around him. 

JJ is 15 years old now, and he is experiencing a new form of independence and confidence-building skills while spending a large part of his summer 6 hours from home. He is with my brother and his family at Youth Haven Bible Camp in the hills of Kentucky. The first week of June, he attended Jr. Staff Orientation, then spent a week of being a camper during teen week, and now he is working and serving as a Jr. Staff member until the middle of July.

If you are a parent, you can understand how difficult it is to allow a child to go so far away from home, and for so long of a time; but, I realize that allowing JJ to go and do new things is all part of the growing up process - for both him and for me (heh heh). So, I have been praying for JJ daily, and have been choosing to TRUST in God by placing JJ's well-being into God's hands. In fact, David and I have both been praying, not only for JJ's health and safety, but also for his spiritual growth, and for him to have learning experiences that will help shape him into the young man God wants him to become.

I remember back when I was barely 16, and I spent most of the Summer working as a "summer missionary" at Camp Good News in Minnesota. I have memories from that time of situations that have helped shape my life and make me the person I am today. I can only ask the same for JJ. So, although I miss him, I am thankful he has this opportunity to spend some time with his cousins, and to serve and work at the camp.

Playing in the park can help a young child's development. In the same way, being away from home for awhile can help a teenager's development. I am TRUSTING that this experience will be an exciting time of learning and growing for JJ, and I look forward to hearing about all he has done and learned during his time away.

TRUST #23: A Father Who Can Be Trusted

On the day each of our children were born, David was a tremendous help throughout the labor and delivery process. He stayed near me the entire time, making sure all was going as well as it could be. Then, as soon as our baby was born, he quickly checked to see that I was okay, then went to be near the young ones as they were being cleaned up. At each birth, he had made an obvious transition from being a caring and protective husband to being a caring and protective father. And, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

David with our 1st-born child -1998

David with our 2nd-born child - 2003

A good father can be TRUSTED to love his children, protect them, and to care for them in ways that only a good father can. I am thankful and pleased to have that kind of a father for my children.

Unfortunately, not everyone in this world has had a father who has earned that same kind of trust. If that is YOU, don't be discouraged. We know from God's Word that you, too, can have a Father who can be trusted - a Heavenly Father. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you are adopted as a child of God. He becomes the good Father you never had.
 
So, today, which is Father's Day in the United Stated, don't be afraid to open your heart to the Heavenly Father, placing your TRUST in Him. He is a Father who loves you, cares for you, wants to be a part of your life, and knows you better than anyone - even to the point of knowing how many hairs are on your head. He is a Father who can be TRUSTED.

TRUST #22: "Trust the Engineer" (A Quote by Corrie TenBoom)

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and TRUST the engineer.” 

 ~ Corrie TenBoom

TRUST #21: Twila Paris "Do I Trust You?"

Way back in 1984, when I was a young teen-aged girl, a song came out on Christian radio by TWILA PARIS. This song, according to CCM CLASSIC was "written in response to Keith Green's untimely death in 1982."  Keith was also a well-known Christian musician at that time, who died on July 28, 1982. It was a plane crash that took his life, along with two of his four children.

Back then, when this song was new, many were blessed by the words. In fact, many are still being blessed by them. So, today, as we continue with the theme of TRUST, I am sharing the lyrics of this song with you....

DO I TRUST YOU?
(Click the title to hear the song)

Sometimes my little heart can't understand
What's in Your will, what's in Your plan.
So many times I'm tempted to ask You "Why?"
But I can never forget it for long.
Lord, what You do could not be wrong;
So I believe You, even when I must cry.

Do I trust You, Lord? Does the river flow?
Do I trust You, Lord? Does the north wind blow?
You can see my heart, You can read my mind
And You've got to know, I would rather die
Than to lose my faith in the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord? Do I trust You?

I know the answers, I've given them all
But suddenly now, I feel so small
Shaken down to the cavity in my soul.
I know the doctrine and theology
But right now they don't mean much to me.
This time there's only one thing I've got to know

Do I trust You, Lord? Does the robin sing?
Do I trust You, Lord? Does it rain in spring?
You can see my heart, You can read my mind
And You've got to know I would rather die
Than to lose my faith in the One I love
Do I trust You, Lord? Do I trust You?

I will trust You, Lord, when I don't know why
I will trust You, Lord, till the day I die
I will trust You, Lord, when I'm blind with pain
You were God before and You'll never change
I will trust You, I will trust You
I will trust You, Lord
I will trust You, I will trust You
I will trust You, Lord
I will trust You, I will trust You
I will trust You, Lord

Songwriter: Twila Paris

Do I Trust You lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group