“I trust you”
If you’ve visited my blog previously, you may know I’m blessed with the opportunity to care for my grandchildren several days a week. Prior to nap time, I hold my grandson and sing to him. He’ll lay his head down on my shoulder, and I receive his silent message, “I trust you.”
This past week his older sister needed a ride to dance lessons. The day was hot with temperatures in the mid-eighties. After delivering sister to dance, my boy and I sought refuge under a shade tree. There were benches in a nearby park, but none with welcome shade.
My active two-year old is shy in strange places. Normally he’d be running, playing and climbing, but on this hot, sunny day, he wanted to be held. Although I love holding our sweet boy, after fifteen minutes, I was tired and I set him down to stand in the grass.
“I need you”
As I stood he reached up, his little face imploring me to pick him up. When that failed, he tried to climb my legs. I knelt on one knee, thinking being on his level would work to ease his anxiety. My persistent little fellow used my bent leg to start his ascent and soon he was back in my arms again. He grinned with pride at his success.
Content again, he settled down and I stood to prevent us both from toppling over backward into the grass. Arms aching, I rubbed my cheek on his soft, downy hair and echoed his sigh of contentment. I again received his message, “I trust you.”
Anxiety and fear
My grandson is fearful of strange places. He experiences anxiety with people he doesn’t know. He is afraid of the unknown. My little fellow trusts me to take care of him when we’re together. Who do we trust to care for us?
What wisdom does God’s word share with us about anxiety?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to Gd. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
About fear?
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
About trust?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not upon you own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
There are numerous scriptures in God’s word that offer reassurance for us in times of anxiety and fear. We can find multiple passages sharing examples of our Father’s faithful and trustworthy care of His people. For more scriptures focusing on God’s love and care in times of fear click here.
My grandson isn’t quite old enough to understand God’s love and faithfulness. He’s not yet able to comprehend how trustworthy our Father is. Those assurances will come later as he grows in knowledge of our Savior’s love for him.
However, he is aware of his parents’ and grandparents’ love and faithfulness. It continues to be our task to be steadfast in our care for him, so his trust in us is not misplaced.
Joy and love
My hearts swells with joy and love when my grandchildren put their trust in me. How do you think our Lord and Savior feels when we place our faith in Him? Does His heart soar with joy, love, and happiness when we say to Him, “I trust you?”
From a different viewpoint, how does our Lord feel when we don’t trust Him? Does He mourn when we try to go our own way? Do our Father and Jesus feel betrayed when we deny their gifts of love and salvation? Are they saddened when we don’t turn to them when we’re afraid?
Do we trust our Lord?
Unlike my grandson, we have the ability to choose to believe in our Savior and place our trust in Him. Praying for you, my friends.
Thank you Katherine for a much needed reminder to trust God- the One who lives me most and knows me best- in all things.
Marilyn, isn’t it wonderful that our Father knows us, REALLY knows us, and loves us anyway? I’m so grateful for His love and mercy, His faithfulness even when I’m most undeserving.
I can picture in my mind that little fella pressing into his precious memaw, his ministrations seem to indicate his desire to melt into you in such a way that you become one. Sometimes, our children and grandchildren simply can’t be “close enough” to us because (as you so masterfully point out), they feel safe when enveloped by those who love them. Your question about how God feels when we don’t trust Him? I think, sadness. He doesn’t love us any less, but He’s profoundly sad when we reject our Creator. When I face times of fear and trust (am facing that now), I remind myself that “He goes before me”. And if I fall, I pray to fall forward, into His arms, because He is always there awaiting me. Thank you for this wonderful example of how we can see God’s love in action through our lives. Have a great week with the grands ma’am.
I agree, J.D. I think our Father is saddened by our rejection of His love and our Savior mourns when we refuse the gift of love and sacrifice, His death on the cross to grant us eternal life. You express your thoughts so beautifully, my friend, as you describe how you cope with fear. Thank you for reminding us that our God is always there to carry us through the trial, catch us when we stumble and fall, and support us back onto our pathway with Him. Wishing you a blessed week, kind sir.
Katherine, what a sweet reminder to trust God like our toddler grandchildren trust us. And I understand tiring bodies as we care for our little ones. I’m thankful our God never tires as we crawl into his presence for blessed reassurance.
Me, too, Lisa! Although we are created to rest when our physical bodies are weary, we know our Lord is always available when we need encouragement, comfort, and peace. He is faithful and trustworthy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Katherine, I loved this post. I, too, have watched each of our granddaughters until they began school. Our youngest still comes. Praying our love for our little ones helps to build a foundation in their lives regarding the Lord. And grateful for this reminder to trust the Lord in all things, every day. Blessings!
We learn so much from our little ones, don’t we? I’m blessed to have the privilege of caring for them, although I admit they often wear me out! Like you, I pray I can be a good influence on their growths and development, and most especially, teaching and encouraging them on their journey with out Lord. May God bless you, Joanne.
What a sweet story to make a powerful point. Thank you, Katherine.
Thank you, Diana. Wishing you a blessed week.
I think Jesus is delighted when we trust Him and grieves when we do not. Just like we grandparents do with our grandkids.
I think you are absolutely right, Candyce. I believe our love for children and grandchildren is patterned after God’s love for us, although we can’t ever match His great love. But we get a glimpse of the power of His love when we realize how much we love our children. Joy and Blessings, my friend.
Loved this sweet post. Thank you Katherine. I needed this reminder of “I trust You.”
I often need the reminder to trust, too, Sylvia. Thinking of you and continuing to pray. Blessings!
What precious examples of loving trust. I have to admit that I miss those moments with my grandchildren. They’re all in their teens and early twenties now.
I do believe God is sad when we fail to trust Him because it’s our faith in Him that gives Him pleasure.
Don’t we sometimes long to just be held by our strong Father?
Thanks for these reminders of our God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness.
My little ones are growing up too fast. Before I know it, I’ll be saying your words, “teenagers and early twenties!” They are so precious to us–God’s greatest blessing in my retirement. You are right–sometimes I do want God just to hold me and say, “It’s going to be all right.” Thank you for your kindness and encouragement, Connie. Wishing you blessings.
You message is so peaceful and calming in these crazy times. I want to be like your grandson and climb into Jesus’ lap for comfort. Thank you Katherine for another wonderful post.
Thank you, Yvonne. I’m grateful for your encouragement and want to let you know how much I enjoy your travel pictures. It may be the only way I’m able to see some of these locations. Safe travels and blessings!
Katherine, I loved reading the sweet story of your time with precious grandchildren. What a perfect picture of believers reaching up to God and trusting Him. I also appreciate the reminders in the verses you shared.
I’m so grateful you stopped by and shared your thoughts, Jeannie. Like me, I know you enjoy the rich blessings of our children and grandchildren. Wishing you a blessed week with much joy and sunshine.
I love this message! Kids know what they need to feel secure.
We tell ourselves that our fears are more real and scarier than theirs. We forget that He is more able to fend off danger than we ever could be.
Trust. It’s hard. And so very necessary.
Thanks, Katherine. God bless!
You shared such an important point, Nancy–Trust is necessary. How frightening our world would be if we couldn’t trust or if we refuse to trust. We are so blessed that our Father is always faithful and trustworthy. May God bless you.
This message came at a perfect time. We are in a challenging situation and I keep reminding myself that God has never let me down. He is not going to start now. Thank you for the reminder.
I’ve been thinking of you and praying for you, Jen. You are right–God won’t let you down. Hoping you’re finally getting some spring weather!
This story melted my heart. I remember my son being a climber and a clinger. We should all be like your grandson with our Father. Thanks, Katherine!
I agree, Annie. Our little ones trust us to love and care for them. Jesus reminds us to have faith like that. I’m trying to do better! Wishing you blessings and hope to see you at Blue Ridge.
I loved your thought provoking turn-about. Does God like you describe when we trust him? How does he feel when we go our own way? We are created in his image so I imagine he feels much the same as we feel but with God-sized intensity. We are like him, not him like us.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Cathy. I love the way you express the “God-sized intensity” of our Father’s emotions. I think He feels deeply when we reject Him and rejoices when we love and honor Him. We are blessed to be created in His image–I just don’t think we can fully comprehend the awesomeness of that blessing. Wishing you a blessed week.
Thank you for a lovely post, Katherine. You’ve quoted a few of my favorite verses here.
I’m so glad you stopped by, LuAnn. We are blessed to have God’s Word to encourage us on our journey.