I did it my way

Watching my daughter and our grandson interact yesterday reminded me of the joy that a child finds in a loving mother. Giovanni fully trusts his mother and is completely dependent on her.  Without her (or someone to care for him) he would quickly die as would any 1 year old child!  He has no illusions of mastery of his own fate, no need to project an air of independence. He clings to his mom, watches for her to come, because he is secure in her maternal love- something he cannot explain but on which he totally depends.

Are you living in the embrace of our Father, leaning on Him, taking the day’s provision from Him?  “The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  Their question was about power, rank, mastery!  ‘Which of us is on the road to being the Boss?’ they wondered aloud.  Do you hear echoes of your voice there? Are you trying to make life happen in the way you want?  Are you resisting forming relationships with others that cause you to really need them?  Are your prayers only for God’s endorsement of your agenda or entreaties for His wisdom, His way?  Jesus challenged the disciples’ basic assumption about ‘greatness.’   “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4, NIV)

Jesus told those men that the road to real strength, to the place of highest influence, lay along a road they would not think to look for naturally; the way of humility. “Cut down your pride, men.” He said. “Admit your dependence, lean hard on Me!”   Gio has no problem trusting Christine. Why?  She has faithfully loved him and given him every reason to trust her!  One of the tragedies of the abused or neglected child is that he is affected emotionally and psychologically, often for life. He learns not to trust, not to form attachment, not to depend on anyone!

What do you believe about your Father in Heaven?  Can He be trusted, or have you reached the conclusion that you must own your own fate?  The Big Lie of evil is that God is not good!  From the Garden to this time, the whisper of evil tries to destroy faith. “Does He really care? Can you trust Him?” the snake hisses!  When we listen to him, when we see only the moment and confuse it with eternity, we grow fearful, then we try to get ‘all grown up’ and take charge.

For a time, we may well succeed in our schemes. We gather resources, build empires, create situations that we can manage.  If we are fortunate we may even fool ourselves into thinking that we have mastered our universe!  It’s an illusion.  The frightening truth is that we are small and weak, in incredible peril at all times:apart from the loving care of our Father.  When we honestly assess our situation, when we know how easily our life can be derailed by circumstances beyond our control, we can become fearful or we can become ‘faith-full.’  With the simple, humble faith of a child we can enter into the kingdom, living within the security of His reign. Will we?

Here is a word from the Word.  Make it your prayer today.
“A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;despite all its great strength it cannot save. 

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.  

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” (Psalm 33:17-22, NIV)

_________

Breathe

 This is the air I breathe,

This is the air I breathe,

Your holy presence, living in me.

This is my daily bread,

This is my daily bread,

Your very word, spoken to me.

And I, I’m desperate for You!

And I, I’m lost without You!

Marie Barnett

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