Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Trusting...and a Giveaway

Through the wind and the rain, through laughter and pain, count on Him. And when life isn't fair, and there's nobody there, He will be. In a world of pretenders, He is your true defender. And when it all comes down, He'll be the last one caring & standing. ~unknown



RB wrote this devotional for a Lifespan Development Class.  


Trembling, he approached the microphone to recite his Easter Sunday verse: “It is I; be not afraid.”   But somewhere between his seat and the platform, his nervousness changed the KJV into, “It’s me and I’m scared!”  How often do we carry childish fears with us into adulthood, even though we should be mature enough to replace fear with trust?

Uncle Jim taught our little girl to trust him.  As soon as she began walking, Sunday after Sunday at the close of the service, he hurried to the bottom of the stairs, stopped, turned, and extended his arms. “Jump, Melly!” He never missed performing a safe catch. What a trust-building relationship this little exercise developed into…until…one day Uncle Jim descended the stairs without anticipating Melly’s sudden presence behind him. An observant bystander yelled, “Jim!” Instinctively, Uncle Jim whirled on his heels, catching my precious girl just inches from the concrete floor.

Uncle Jim at Melanie's Dedication
How many times    have the cares, reverses,   and disappointments of life whittled away at the very fabric of our trust garments – from swaddling clothes to sleepers, from pajamas to sweats, and even from little-man suits to business casual?!  Instead of increasing trust levels, the natural instinct is to allow the meter reading to diminish, fading instead of fortifying.   Could we be missing a myriad of golden opportunities to teach our children (heritage of the Lord) “from a child…” (as modeled by T1imothy’s mother and grandmother; 2 Timothy 3:15; KJV)?   Our teaching and training should begin with the component of trust – total reliance in the darkness, confidence to take the first step, courage to obey Mom and Dad’s God and the principles He has already taught them. 

Run with Abandon
A Giveaway for my readers
Leave a message if you'd like to win.
9.26-10.3
     Training is not automatic, nor can it wait until that precise moment when a tiny child is “ready” to learn.  It must be intentional, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:7, “Train up a child…”  This directive was addressed to parents thousands of years ago; it was (and is) the voice of our Heavenly Father; the accountability for carrying it forth rests with mothers and fathers.   While parents are not ultimately responsible for the eternal results of their children, they must certainly own what they feed them, how they steer them, and when to instill Scripture into their minds and hearts.

Investing our personal trust in God in every part and parcel of our little ones’ lives will reap great dividends.  It will not eliminate the “It’s me and I’m scared” times, nor will it remove the awesome weight of raising them “in the fear and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 KJB), but it will drive us to the Cross, knowing “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid…!” (Psalm 56:4 KJV).  May we always strive to replace childish fear with childlike trust.

I cannot always see His arms while traveling on this way,
But this one thing I know for sure: He’ll support me every day.  (rbk)

Nugget of thought for the day:
Though I may not always be aware of His continual presence, I can be sure He’ll be there on time, just in time, every time! (rbk)

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19 comments:

Denise said...

Very encouraging.

A Primitive Homestead said...

I have tried to raise & teach my children Gods word. I lost one of my children in July. I struggle each day. I pray I did not fail my child as his mother for eternity. I pray I or someone got thru to him & his soul was saved with his name written in the Lambs Book of Life. Blessings!
Lara

joy said...

I did that when they are growing up and just pray to God for the rest because now they are the ones who decides. I prsy that they wont forget whst they learned from Hod and me and guide them to the right way:)

Elizabethd said...

As an ex teacher I do agree with you that training , in the gentlest form, begins as they are born.
I'm watching my children train their own children now.

Rebecca said...

Thank God for the "Uncle Jims" in MY life....and I'm STILL learning to trust.

Such great advice for parenting young (AND adult) children, Pamela. My parents are still by example training me how to trust God in the midst of the challenges of aging!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Thanks for sharing RB's sweet words.

Fondly,
Glenda

Renee said...

God has been teaching me a great deal about trusting Him the past couple of weeks, and this post spoke with clarity as I keep moving forward on my journey to trust...fear not and trust....
God bless this beautiful story you have shared...
Renee from Adventures In Faithful Living

SuzyQ said...

Thanks for the well written blog. Uncle Jim taught my sons the same trust!
Trusting is difficult sometimes, when you have been disappointed, but I am trying to learn - even at this age - the value of total trust. The joy to go with it would be amazing!
Love you, love your blog, love your talents!
Always.
Sue

OurCrazyFarm said...

Please enter me in the giveaway!

A Proverbs 31 Wife said...

Trust is honestly the one thing I struggle with the most. I've heard you view God as you do your earthly father. I think that is pretty true. I would love to be entered to win your book.

Life and Breath and Everything Else said...

What a great post. I am still learning a lot about trust. Thanks for posting such good food for thought - and although I'd love the book, don't feel you need to put me in the drawing as I live abroad :)

Alecia Simersky said...

"He'll be there on time, just in time, every time" hanging onto those words today. Thank you

Jennifer Dougan said...

Pamela,

Sorry for my delay in getting back to you: my internet has been spotty at times.

Thank you for stopping in at my "A Celestial Slant on Cowboys" post. Yes, that linking to our everyday life -- of God's word and my obedience... amen. :)

Have a great week, Pamela.

Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

LeAnn said...

This was a very encouraging and uplifting post. I loved all of your thoughts. The quotes and scriptues were great ones. I do believe that trust is so important. My favorite scripture is in Proverbs 3: 5-6; "Trust In The Lord.........This I try to do. This scripture always comes to mind when I am in a pickle.
Blessings for this one!

Esther Joy said...

JIT - "Just in Time" - He always come through when we wait on Him, doesn't He?!

Judith said...

I held my breath as I read about your daughter jumping, nearly onto the concrete floor!! Yes, how true that we don't trust so well as adults as we do as children!! I have areas where my trust falters. This was an encouraging post...to trust.

That book looks like one I'd love to read!!

Esther Asbury said...

I really enjoyed RB's devotional -- My favorite line is this one: " It will not eliminate the “It’s me and I’m scared” times.....but it will drive us to the Cross, knowing “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid…!
I'm finding it true!

Unknown said...

oh this looks really good! thanks for the chance to win

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

These really does look like a good book and one I would enjoy! I'm catching up on your blog and enjoying your nice variety of posts!